Yazidism

thumb|right|300px|The tomb of Sheikh Adi in Lalish, the holiest site in Yazidism thumb|right|The roj, an emblem of a sundisk with 21 rays, is the symbol of the Yazidi people and religion Yazidism is a monotheistic ethnic religion followed by the Yazidi people. Quotes Kreyenbroek Philip God and Sheikh Adi are perfect: sacred poems and religious narratives from the Yezidi tradition Harrassowitz Verlag Wiesbaden 2005 978-3-447-05300-6 63127403 (Quotes of all hymns below are from Kreyenbroek (2005) unless noted other otherwise.) Kreyenbroek Philip Yezidism: its background, observances, and textual tradition E. Mellen Press Lewiston, New York 1995 0-7734-9004-3 31377794 This section provides quotes from sacred hymns in Yazidism (see Yazidi literature on Wikipedia for a comprehensive list). Creation Oh Lord, in the world there was darkness There were neither mice nor snakes You freshly brought it to life Flowers almost burst from it. Oh Lord, you are the generous master You opened the way and the road in the darkness You are the master of all things You created paradise, many-coloured. Qewlê Afirîna Dinyayê — The Hymn of the Creation of the World, 1-2 Our Lord had a thing in mind He established the Pearl of the Cup from it From it he created the holy men He said: This is still not enough. The Pearl burst open in its awe of God It could not bear it (any longer), it was carried upwards It became adorned with such colours Red and white became visible in it. Qewlê Afirîna Dinyayê — The Hymn of the Creation of the World, 7-8 He threw rennet into the ocean The ocean coagulated because of it Smoke appeared from it He built heaven and earth, fourteen spheres Our God brought the Pearl out. Qewlê Afirîna Dinyayê — The Hymn of the Creation of the World, 10 Water flowed from the Pearl It became an ocean without end, without beginning Without road and without gate Our God circled over the water. Qewlê Afirîna Dinyayê — The Hymn of the Creation of the World, 12 He brought Lalish down from above Lalish became pleasant everywhere On earth, plants began to grow With them he adorned the existing things. Qewlê Afirîna Dinyayê — The Hymn of the Creation of the World, 22 Lalish came (down) from heaven The earth became green, plants came How many beings grazed on it! Qewlê Afirîna Dinyayê — The Hymn of the Creation of the World, 28 My King is concealed inside it By himself, he was contented with himself No world had yet appeared By himself, he knew himself. He worshipped himself Love was always one, and conscious He became light, worshipping himself Qewlê Bê Elîf — The Hymn of B and A, 2-3 Before scripture, before writing Before the Pen, before Truth Men had come to know this love. Qewlê Bê Elîf — The Hymn of B and A, 8 The King was lonely in the Pearl There was no earth, no sky No mountains, no foundation One name for faith was ‘God’. The King was inside the Pearl Solemnly he gave himself 3,003 names He added ‘Belief’ as one of those names. God created belief He gave it 99 colours By means of that faith he removed himself from inside the Pearl. Dûʿa Bawiriyê — The Prayer of Belief, 1-3 Pilgrimage Drive directly to the Doorway (at Lalish) Take the Lord’s path without fail Serve and perform religious duties! Oh Sheikh Adi, give (religious) wages and freedom from sin to the Yezidis of East and West Those who are present and listen, from the treasury of power. We are deficient, God and Sheikh Adi are perfect. Qewlê Îmanê — The Hymn of the Faith, 45 Let us make pilgrimage to those robes of honour The mystery of Lalish came from above So many created things were adorned with it Men received from it a responsibility, freedom from sin and robes of honour. We will make pilgrimage to (the wearers of) those robes The angels stand at the gate of heaven The holy men of God have taken their places at the assembly and the gathering: The mystery of the Tradition, which is belief in righteousness and in the foundations The whole mystery of God is faith. Dûʿa Tifaqê — The Prayer of Agreement, 14-15 Sheikhs and angels The Leader of the Saints appeared He was Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, Before him, the holy men were saying ‘God is greatest’. We are deficient, God is perfect. Qewlê Bê Elîf — The Hymn of B and A, 14 Sheikh Adi is the lord of kindness He appeared among Arabs and non-Arabs. He appeared in Beyt el-Far He migrated, he came to Hakkari At Lalish holy men gathered around him. He migrated to the Cavern, he came to Lalish A rumour had reached their ears They became happy, their hearts were pleased about it. Qewlê Şêxadî û Mêra — The Hymn of Sheikh Adi and the Holy Men, 1-3 My Sheikh Shems is (made) of light He sits on the golden Throne Many keys are in his hands He opens doors to many treasuries The House of Tradition has hopes of him Yoe are a remedy for all wounds. From here on the text becomes a Qewl: All snakes, all mice All that is wet, all that is dry That too shall have a share and a part in (the sphere of) Sheikh Shems. All tortoises, all snakes All that is hidden, all that is open Its refuge too is with Sheikh Shems. Duʿa û Qewlê Şêşims — The Prayer and Hymn to Sheikh Shems, 20-22 Sheikh Shems is the King. Sheikh Obekir is the Lord. Nasirdin is the Sheikh of Sejadin. Duʿa û Qewlê Şêşims — The Prayer and Hymn to Sheikh Shems, 36 (Our) longing is for the King in the Pearl His light has 3,003 forms Any one of God’s names is the object of (our) wishes. My King created the wish He created the angel Ezrail from light He adorned the vault of heaven with it. Dûʿa Mirazê — The Prayer of Wishes, 1-2 The angel Ezrail stood at the Gate of Wishes Night and day he was wishing Until he attained (his) wish: the Presence. Dûʿa Mirazê — The Prayer of Wishes, 4 Amen, amen, amen (By) the greatness of Shemsedin Fekhredin, Sejadin and Nasirdin Sheikh Shems is the strength of the religion Qadi il-Ban is ancient Sultan Sheikh Adi has the first and last crown Truth, Praise be to God, oh Lord of both worlds Sheikh Adi, peace be upon you! Diroze, 1 Amen, amen, The blessing of the faith. God is the best of Creators. Through the miraculous power of Shems el-Dîn, Fekhr el-Dîn, Sejadîn, Naşir el-Dîn and Babadîn, Sheykh Shems is the strength of the faith, Sultan Sheykh Adi is the crown, from first to last. Truth, Praise be to God. Oh Lord of the Worlds, Give good things, avert evil. We long for a (moment of the) Presence. Du‘aya Sibeykê — The Morning Prayer, 1 (source: Kreyenbroek 1995) Community We are deficient, God is perfect The village we are in is protected by God The house we are in is maintained by God Mercy upon the mothers and fathers of those who are present and those who listen, and upon my masters. Diroze, 15 Jesus Jesus and Simeon Went to a desert They came across a skull. The head that belonged to the skull When Jesus spoke to it Began speaking at once. Jesus talked to it and greeted it The head answered his greeting Saying: Prophet Jesus You are most welcome! Qewlê Cumcumî Siltan — The Hymn of the Sultan’s Skull, 1-3 God My King has 1,001 names In his eyes the world is a matter of an hour, an instant Sultan Ezi knows how many masses of water there are in the ocean How many stones are scattered over dry river-beds Sultan Ezi made Eve a bride, Adam a groom. Qewlê Hezar û Yek Nav — The Hymn of the Thousand and One Names, 1 One day I was pondering night and day, I seek protection with God. What a great ocean he is! He is also an endless light. Four streams have sprung from it. What a gigantic ocean he is! Its foundation consists of four cornerstones, The four foundations are a cornerstone for the holy men, The assembly of Sheykh Adi, which must observe the prescribed way of dressing. What an endless ocean he is! He is the everlasting King of the good men. I am the supporter of my Sheykh, I give much praise to my Sheykh. What a deep ocean he is! He is the compassionate King of the good men. I was far away, I came near. Qewlê Behra — The Hymn of the Oceans, 1-5 (source: Kreyenbroek 1995) You are the eternal one, you dwelt in the source of light, You are the eternal one, you are the living one, the glorious. You are one, praise is due to you. Qewlê Ṭawûsî Melek — The Hymn Of Melek Tawus, 5 (source: Kreyenbroek 1995) Oh my Lord, you are higher than the sky, You have no attributes, you are everywhere, You do not give birth, you are alive without having been born. Qewlê Ṭawûsî Melek — The Hymn Of Melek Tawus, 8 (source: Kreyenbroek 1995) Faith My declaration of Faith is: (there is) One God. Melek Sheykh Hesen is Truth, (he is) the Friend of God. (God) bless Mount Meqlûb and the Sanctuary. Salutations to the holy men, to Lalish and to Meqlûb. Our point of orientation on this earth are the Twin Spires. The Yezidi nation turns towards Sheykh Adi, In the worship of prostration. Sultan Sheykh Adi is my King, Sheikh Obekr is my Lord, Sultan Êzîd is my King. Şehda Dînî — The Declaration of Faith, 1-3 (source: Kreyenbroek 1995) God willing, we are Yezidis, Followers of the name of Sultan Êzîd. Praise be to God, we are content with our religion and ṭarīqa. Şehda Dînî — The Declaration of Faith, 10 (source: Kreyenbroek 1995) That intercession is like this: On one side of the Sirat Bridge is paradise, on one there is darkness, and on the third there is hell There is help from the Friends and Brothers of the Hereafter for their brothers, the sinners. Qewlê Seremergê — The Hymn of the Moment of Death, 69 External links Category:Iraqi Kurds Category:Monotheism Category:Religious faiths, traditions, and movements