Yazidi literature is literature produced by the Kurds-Yazidi people. Although Yazidi literature has traditionally been primarily oral, many Yazidi texts have been transcribed since the 1970s. Kurmanji is the main language used.
Unlike the other major religions of the Near East, Yazidism does not have a standardized canon of religious texts, since religious knowledge is traditionally transmitted orally.
Some of the largest text collections of Yazidi literature have been compiled by Philip G. Kreyenbroek and Khalil Rashow (2005) and Khanna Omarkhali (2017). Other compilations of various Yazidi texts are those of Christine Allison (2001) and Teimuraz Avdoev, a Georgian Yazidi.Avdoev, Teimuraz / Авдоев, Теймураз (2020). Newşe dînê êzîdiyan / Езидское Священословие / The Yezidi Holy Hymns .
List of texts This section contains a comprehensive list of Yazidi oral religious texts as compiled by Omarkhali (2017).
Yazidi oral religious poetry can be categorized into the following categories.
Poetic Qewl: considered to be of divine origin. The most important qewls are the Berane Qewls ("rams' qewls"), with just over a dozen of qewls typically considered as belonging to this category. Beyt: highly respected, but not considered to be of divine origin like the qewls Duʿa: prayers Qesîde: considered to have been composed by the disciples of Sheikh Adi Semaʿ Lavij Xizêmok (song of the "nose ring") Payîzok (song of "autumn") Robarîn (song of the "rivers") Xerîbo
Prose Mishabet ("sermon") Çîrok û Çîvanok ("narrative") Dastan ("tale")
Qewl
Qewlê Afrîna Dinyanê (Qewlê Afirandina Dinyayê, Qewlê Kinyatê) – The Hymn of the Creation of the World. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Aqûb û Mûsa Qewlê Asasê – The Hymn of the Basis Qewlê Aşê Muhbetê – The Hymn of the Mill of Love. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Qewlê Axiretê (Qewlê Sibêyek ji yêt ʿEdewiye, Qewlê Nefs û Aqil) – The Hymn of the Judgement Day Qewlê Axiretê – The Hymn of the Judgement Day. Has its own melody. Qewlê Bav Bekirê Omera – The Hymn of Bav Bekirê Omera. Attributed to Babekrê Omera yê Zerzayî. Has its own melody. Qewlê Baza Qewlê Bedir û Mend – The Hymn of Bedir and Mend. Has its own melody. Qewlê Bedîla Sineʿt Kamil Qewlê Bedîla Xedara (Qewlê Du Şax) – The Hymn of the Cruel Epoch. Sometimes considered to be one of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Behra (Qewlê Beʿra) – The Hymn of the Ocean. Usually recited during pilgrimages (ziyaret), and sometimes also during funerals. Qewlê Beʿra – The Hymn of the Ocean. Has its own melody. Qewlê Beygoya (Qewlê Bêgoya) – The Hymn of the False Accuser. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir or Derwêş Qatan Qewlê Bêgoya – The Hymn of the False Accuser Qewlê Bê û Elîf – The Hymn of B and A. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Birahîmê kurê Mihemmed Qewlê Birahîm Xelîl Qewlê Bore-borê Qewlê Borêt Feqîra – The Hymn of the Horses of the Feqîrs. Attributed to Sheikh Mend. Qewlê Cêma Cimleta (Qewlê Civat û Cimlete) – The Hymn of the Gathering of the Community Qewlê Cimcimî Siltan – The Hymn of the Skull of the King Qewlê Cirgîn Qewlê Civatê – The Hymn of the Community. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Qewlê Çakê Me li Ser de – The Hymn of our Goodness with it. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Qewlê Çarşema Sor (Beyta Çarşemê, Qewlê Çarşembûyê) – The Hymn of the Red Wednesday. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Recited when starting fires at sacred sites in the Lalish valley before the New Year Feast in April. Qewlê Çî Sibeyeke Tarî Ye – The Hymn of What a Dark Morning It Is Qewlê Daîk û Baba (Qewlê Day û Baba) – The Hymn of the Parents. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Sometimes considered to be one of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Denûn Misrî – The Hymn of Dhu-Nun from Egypt. Has its own melody (same as Qewlê Derwêş Adam). Qewlê Dewrêşa Qewlê Derwêş Adem (Qewlê Derwêş Adem û Mîr Brahîm) – The Hymn of Derwêş Adam. Has its own melody (same as Qewlê Denûn Misrî). Qewlê Dewrêş Hebîb – The Hymn of Derwêş Hebib. Has its own melody. Qewlê di ʿEmrekî da Mame – The Hymn I Remained in a Life Qewlê Diol û Aqil Qewlê Distrême Qewlê Dota Qadiyê Besrayê (Qewlê Dota Qaziyê Besrayê) Qewlê Dota Qaziyê Besrayê Qewlê Dura Qewlê Du Şax Qewlê ʿErd û ʿEzman – The Hymn of Earth and Sky. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Erkanê Qewlê Êzdîdê Mezin (Qewlê Ser Behrê) – The Hymn of a Great Êzîd Qewlê Êzdînê Mîr (Qewlê Sê Kasanî Mest im) – The Hymn of Êzdînê Mîr. Has its own melody. Qewlê Êzîd (Qewlê Êzdîd, Qewlê Makê, Qewlê Mezin) – The Hymn of Êzîd. Attributed to Pisê Cem. Has 3 melodies. Often considered to be the longest Yazidi hymn. Recited during the Tawûs gêran ("touring of Tawus"). Qewlê Êzîd û Medehê (Qewlê Ji Sultan Êzdî Didim Medehê) – The Hymn of Êzîd and Praising. Has its own melody. Qewlê ʿEzmer Feqîn Qewlê Firwara Melik Şêx Sin – The Hymn of the Order of the Angel Sheikh Sin (Şêxisin). Has its own melody. Qewlê Firwara Mûsa (Qewlê Mûsa, Qewlê Nebî Mûsa) Qewlê Firwara Şêx Fexir – The Hymn of the Order. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Recited at funerals. Qewlê Firwarê (Qewlê Firwara Şêx Fexir, Qewlê Melek Fexredîn) – The Hymn of the Order Qewlê Gay û Masî – The Hymn of the Fish and Bull. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Gelya Marî Qewlê Gêla Çar Ziman – The Hymn of the Lad of four languages. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Qewlê Gêla Şêx Mend – The Hymn of the Lad Sheikh Mend Qewlê Hemedê Babê Qewlê Herê Berê Ko Bû – The Hymn of Where was [the King] at First? Sometimes considered to be one of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Hesedê Al-Tewrî – The Hymn of Hesedê el-Tewrî. Attributed to Hesedê el-Tewrî. Qewlê Hesenê Celê (Hesenê Çelê) – The Hymn of Hesenê Çelê. Has its own melody. Qewlê Hevsarî (Qewlê Hefsarî) – The Hymn of the Bridle Qewlê Hey Canê (a part of Qewlê Makê) Qewlê Hezar û Yek Nav (Qewlê Hezar û Êk Nav) – The Hymn of the Thousand and One Names. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Hindav de Çûme Banî – The Hymn of I Rose to the Top Qewlê Husêyînî Helac (Qewlê Helacê Mensûr, Qewlê Hisênê Helac) – The Hymn of the Hussein Hallaj. Has its own melody. Qewlê Îmanê (Qewlê Îmanê Bi Çi Nîşane, Qewlê Nasridîn) – The Hymn of the Belief. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody (same as Qewlê Xudanê Malê). Qewlê Ji Şamê Têm Meclisê – The Hymn of from Syria/Damascus I Come to the Gathering. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Kasa Qewlê Keniya Mara (Şîxadî Şêxê Şara) – The Hymn of the Laughter of Snakes Qewlê Koçeka – The Hymn of Koçeks. Has its own melody. Qewlê Kofa (Qewlê Pîrê Libnana, Qewlê Dilê Min î bi Kovan e) – The Hymn of the Headdress. Attributed to Dawidî bin Derman. Has its own melody (2 melodies). Qewlê Lawê Pîran (Qewlê Lawikê Pîran) – The Hymn of Lawikê Pîran. Attributed to Lawikê Pîr. Has its own melody. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê li Ser Tofanê – The Hymn on the Storm. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Makê Qewlê Mala Bava (Qewlê Hoş Malê Bava, Qewlê Disitrême) – The Hymn of the Home of Father. Has its own melody. Qewlê Mal û Mêra (Qewlê Hey Mal û Mêran) Qewlê Meha(n) (Qewlê Mehên Salê) – The Hymn of the Months. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody (same as Qewlê Çarşema). Qewlê Mela Ebû Bekir – The Hymn of Mela Ebu Bekir Qewlê Melek Ferxedîn Qewlê Melek Salim Qewlê Melek Şêx Sin – The Hymn of Angel Sheikh Sin Qewlê Mersûma Barî Qewlê Mest im ji Qedehê Qewlê Mezin – The Great Hymn. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Mewlê Me (Qewlê Kasa) – The Hymn of I am a Teacher Qewlê Mirîdê (Qewlê Mirîdiyê) – The Hymn of Mirîds. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Has its own melody. Qewlê Miskîno Jaro – The Hymn of the Weak Miserable One. Has its own melody. Qewlê Miskîn Tajdîn – The Hymn of Miskîn Tajdîn. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Qewlê Mişetê – The Hymn of Mişhet. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Qewlê Miştaqê Sê Bor im – The Hymn of I Crave for Three Steeds. Attributed to Hesedê el-Tewrî. Qewlê Mizgîna Mêra – The Hymn of Good News Qewlê Mizgîniyê (Qewlê Mizgîna Mêra, Qewlê Stiya Ês) – The Hymn of Good News. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Qewlê Mîr Birahîm (Qewlê Birahîm Xelîl) – The Hymn of Mîr Ibrahim. Has its own melody. Qewlê Muhra Mêra Qewlê Mûsa Pêxember – The Hymn of the Prophet Moses. Attributed to Sheikh Hevind. Qewlê Mûsa Pêxember û Xidirê Zênde Qewlê Nadir – The Hymn of the Rare [Knowledge] Qewlê Nebî Mihemed Qewlê Nebî Simayîl – The Hymn of the Prophet Ishmael. Sometimes attributed to Pîr Xidir. Has its own melody. Qewlê Nefsê Qewlê Nefs û Aqil Qewlê Newrozê Qewlê Nuh Pêxember Qewlê Omer Xale û Hesin Çinêrî – The Hymn of Omer Xala and Hesin Çinêrî. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir or Dawidî bin Derman. Has its own melody. Qewlê Pedşayî (Qewlê Padişayî) – The Hymn of the Lord. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Pişt Perde (lit. the hymn of "beyond the veil") Qewlê Pîr Dawud – The Hymn of Pîr Dawud. Attributed to Pîr Dawud. Has its own melody (same as Qewlê Pîr Şeref). Qewlê Pîrê Siba Qewlê Pîr Hemedê Boz – The Hymn of Pîr Hemedê Boz Qewlê Pîr Mehmedê Kurdî – The Hymn of Pîr Mehmedê Kurdî Qewlê Pîr Reşê Heyran (Qewlê Pîr Reşîdê Heyran) – The Hymn of Pîr Reşê Heyran. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Qewlê Pîr Şeref (Beyta Beʿza, Beyta Baza) – The Hymn of Pîr Şeref. Attributed to Dawidî bin Derman. Has its own melody (same as Qewlê Pîr Dawud). Qewlê Qazî Esker Qewlê Qazî Şiro Qewlê Qedîlbilban – The Hymn of Qedîlbilban Qewlê Qendîla (Qewlê Zênare) – The Hymn of [the source of] the Lights. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran or Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Qewlê Qere Firqan – The Hymn of the Black Firqan. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Qiyametê 1 – The Hymn of the End of the World. Has its own melody. Qewlê Qiyametê 2 – The Hymn of the End of the World. Has its own melody. Qewlê Rabiʿe il-ʿEdewiye – The Hymn of Rabʿa al-ʿAdawiyyaʿ. Has its own melody. Qewlê Rojekê Ez Sefer Bûm – The Hymn of One Day I Made a Journey. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Sera Mergê (Qewlê Seremergê) – The Hymn of the Moment of Death. Has its own melody. Often recited at funerals. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Sê Kasa Mest im Qewlê Sibekê ji yêt ʿEdewiya Qewlê Silavêt Melik Fexredîn – The Hymn of the Greetings of the Angel Fexredin. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Silavêt Mel(e)kê Kerîm – The Hymn of the Great Angel (i.e., God). Attributed to Pîr Xidir. Qewlê Silav Silavêt Cebêra – The Hymn of the Greetings is the Greetings of the Mighty Ones. Attributed to Dawidî bin Derman. Qewlê Silav û Sed Silav (Qewlê Şêxisin û Şêx Fexir) – The Hymn of Greeting and a Hundred Greetings. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Qewlê Simaîl Pêxember (Qewlê Nebî Simaîl) – The Hymn of the Prophet Simaîl Qewlê Sincaqa Qewlê Sindrûk Qewlê Sinî Berî – The Hymn of Sinî Berî. Attributed to Sinî Berî. Has its own melody. Qewlê Stiya Ês Qewlê Sultan Êzîd (Qewlê Êzîd) Qewlê Sura – The Hymn of Mysteries Qewlê Şeq(e) Serî – The Hymn of Proper Conduct. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Sometimes considered to be one of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Şerfedîn – The Hymn of Şerfedîn. Attributed to Pîr Reşê Heyran. Has its own melody. Qewlê Şêxadî û Mêra – The Hymn of Sheikh ʿAdî and Holy Men. Attributed to Pisê Cem. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Şêx Îsn – The Hymn of Sheikh Îsn Qewlê Şêxisin û Şêx Fexir Qewlê Şêşims – The Hymn of Sheikh Şêms. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Şêşimsê Tewrêzî – The Hymn of Sheikh Shems of Tabriz Qewlê Şêx ʿErebegî ʿIntûzî – The Hymn of Sheikh Erebeg from Entush. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Şêxê Hesenê Siltan e (Qewlê Borê-borê) – The Hymn of Sheikh Hesen is the Sultan. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Has its own melody. Recited at funerals. One of the Berane Qewls. Qewlê Şêxê Sirî Qewlê Şêx Fexrê Zergûn – The Hymn of Sheikh Fexir, the Golden [One]. Attributed to Sheikh Fexir. Qewlê Şêx Hadî – The Hymn of Sheikh Hadî Qewlê Şêxê Mend û Gêla Qewlê Şêx Mend û Şêx Reş – The Hymn of Sheikh Mend and Sheikh Reş Qewlê Şêx Silêm – The Hymn of Sheikh Silêm