This document provides an overview of the Kurdish people and Kurdistan region. It discusses the Kurdish diaspora across four main countries, their sublanguages and origins in the Caucasus mountains. The history section outlines Kurdish dynasties from the 7th century AD onwards and their treatment under Ottoman rule. The document then describes the four main parts of Kurdistan - North, West, South, East - and provides details about cities in each region like Diyarbakir, Al Kamishli and Arbil. It concludes by listing 10 criteria for recognizing Kurdish identity, including their love of language, literature, music, Newroz celebrations and renowned hospitality.

2. Groningen, Gent, Aachen….
Martini tower, Groningen,
Netherlands
Graslei, Gent, Belgium
Markt, Aachen, Germany
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3. The Kurdish Region
0 40 million Kurds
0 4 main countries
0 5 sublanguages
0 Western-Eurasian
origin
0 Large variety in religion
0 Large variety in
physical appearance
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4. A bit of history…..
0 2400 BC: inhabitation of mountain areas to south of Caucasus (now
Kurdistan region)
0 7th century AD: Invasion of Islamic Arabs
0 10-12th century: First Kurdish dynasties under Islamic ruling
0 12-13th century: Largest Kurdish power in Ayyubite dynasty
0 16th century: Ottoman victory in the middle east
0 16th century: Removal of Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Azeris, Turkmens
etc. to Persian regions by Ottomans
0 17-19th century: Several victories and defeats
0 20th century: Rise of nationalism
0 1920: Treaty of Sevres for independency
0 AD: partial independence KRG
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5. Overview
4 parts of Kurdistan:
0 North
0 West
0 South
0 East
How to recognize a Kurd?
0 By 10 criteria
Questions
Kurdish cuisine4-4-2014 5

6. Today’s journey…..
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7. North: Diyarbakir (Amed)
0 ± 1 mil. Inhabitants
0 Roman name: Amida
(2000 BC)
0 Typical dark stone
architecture
0 6 km city walls
0 City of copper
0 Watermelons
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8. West: Al Kamishli (Qamishlo)
0 ± 200.000 residents
0 Large ethnic and
religious variety
0 Churches next to
mosques
0 Cotton, oil, and wheat
0 Flat roofs4-4-2014 8

9. South: Arbil (Hewler)
0 1.5 mil. Inhabitants
0 Urban life: 6000 BC
0 It’s heart: Citadel
0 650 AD conquered
by Arabs
0 Parliament of
Independent Kurdish
Region
0 Dubai of the Middle-
East
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10. East: Palangan
0 ± 800 inhabitants
0 Staircase city in the
mountains
0 Adjusted
architecture
0 Adjusted lifestyle
0 Primitive, but
unique building
skills
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11. Now, how to recognize a
Kurd?
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12. 1. Bragging about languages….
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13. 2. Patriotic/ Nationalistic
0 Only way to:
0 Survive oppression
0 Maintain language
0 Pass culture & tradition
0 Demand your rights
0 Good because:
0 No acceptance of injustice to anyone
0 Family & culture unity
0 ‘For the love of the country’
0 Politically engaged: people care
0 Sharing
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14. 3. An uncle who…
0 Said he had dinner with the prime minister and they discussed politics
and my uncle gave him advise…..
0 Was one of the most famous writers who wrote 754 poems about love for
the country
0 Fought in the war against oppressors and therefore you have no right of
insulting anyone in the whole family
0 Was the hero of the village because the parents of his love didn’t want him
to marry their daughter and then he came and ‘stole’ her and they hid in
the neighbouring village…..
0 Could have been a politician, doctor, lawyer and professional football
player if only he had the chances we have today…..(Sadly, sometimes
actually true)
0 Has given birth to 24 children…..(Also true)4-4-2014 14

15. 4. Literature
0 Languages + Nationalism = Lots and lots of Literature
0 You are a true Kurd if a quote or poem pops up in your mind:
0 During any dinner
0 For every occasion
0 For every lesson to learn
0 For each mistake to make….
0 For whatever emotion or memory….
0 Famous lovestory: Mem u Zin
0 Popular: oppression, desire for more, better future dreams,
human rights, love for the country…..
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16. 5. Music & Dance
Music
0 Emotional flute
0 Party drum and horne flute
0 Nationalistic violin
Dance
0 Dance on the sound of thunder…
0 Napkins….
0 Women: tililililiiii
0 Modern folkdance
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17. 6. Newroz
0 21st of March
0 New Year and celebration of Kurdish freedom
0 Kawa, story of evil king (700 BC)
0 Different celebration per country or region
0 In the Netherlands…
0 No matter what, you always celebrate Newroz!
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18. 7. Traditional Clothing: women
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19. 7. Traditional Clothing: Men
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20. 8. Hospitality
Lets say, one day you happen to be waiting for your bus….
Some old guy asks you what time it is…
After you answer politely, his daughter calls him….
He tells her he just met a girl like her…..
A week later you get to know the cousin of his daughter…..
This cousin has a best friend
3 weeks later the sister of this best friend is getting married
Somehow, you and parents get an invitation for this wedding and are treated as guests of
honour while YOU DID NOT KNOW EACHOTHER BEFORE THE BUS MEETING
Now what happened here?
That’s Kurdish hospitality; invitations, dinners, familiarity and
respect. Even when you don’t know each other…..4-4-2014 20

21. 9. Fruits
0 Figs & aging
0 Pomegranates &
children
0 Raw almonds & salt
0 Watermelon &
football
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22. 10. Mama’s food
0 Yaprach (dolma)
& men
0 Iroq & marriage
0 Tabule & dew
0 Lamb & feasts
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23. For you to taste:
Pomegranate and figs
dessert
Tabule spring salad
Language, music, dance, clothing, pomegranates all combined:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_xjl-ALDuE4-4-2014 23

24. Questions?
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