lundi, octobre 11, 2010

The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion


Yezidism is a fascinating part of the rich cultural mosaic of the Middle East. Yezidis emerged for the first time in the 12th century in the Kurdish mountains of northern Iraq. Their religion, which has become notorious for its associations with 'devil worship', is in fact an intricate syncretic system of belief, incorporating elements from proto-Indo-European religions, early Persian faiths like Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, Sufism and regional paganism like Mithraism. Birgul Acikyildiz offers a comprehensive appraisal of Yezidi religion, society and culture. Written without presupposing any prior knowledge about Yezidism, and in an accessible and readable style, her book examines Yezidis not only from a religious point of view but as a historical and social phenomenon. She throws light on the origins of Yezidism, and charts its historical development - from its beginnings to the present - as part of the general history of the Kurds.
The author describes the Yezidi belief system (which considers Melek Taus - the 'Peacock Angel' - to be ruler of the earth) and its religious practices and observances, analysing the most important facets of Yezidi religious art and architecture and their relationship to their neighbours throughout the Middle East. Richly illustrated, with accompanying maps, photographs and illustrations, the book will have strong appeal to all those with an interest in the culture of the Kurds, as well as the wider region.
Birgul Acikyildiz is a Research Fellow at the Khalili Research Centre for the Art and Material Culture of the Middle East, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford.
Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction


Chapter I: Origins, History and Development


Yezidis in Mesopotamia and Anatolia
Yezidis in Syria
Yezidis in Transcaucasia


Chapter II: Religious Belief System


1. God, Angels and the Trinity


God (Xwedê)
Angels
The Peacock Angel (Tawûsî Melek)
Sultan Êzi
Sheikh ‘Adî
2. Yezidi Mythology


Creation of Cosmos and Universe
Creation of Human Being
The Flood
3. Holy Books


4. Religious Hierarchy


Chapter III: Religious Practices, Observances and Rituals


Haircut, Baptism, Circumcision, Brother of the Hereafter, Marriage, Death
Prayer
Fast
Pilgrimage
Festivals and Ceremonies
Taboos
Chapter IV: Material Culture


Homeland, Landscape, Sacred Places
Places of Worship
The Sanctuary
Mausoleums
Shrines
The Baptistery
Caves
Tombstones
Conclusion
Appendixes
Glossary
Notes

Relié: 304 pages
Editeur : I.B.Tauris (30 septembre 2010)
Langue : Anglais
ISBN-10: 1848852746
ISBN-13: 978-1848852747

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