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[Çilê Havînê] marks the completion of a forty-day period of fasting, seclusion and spiritual discipline in Sharfadin. The ancient practice remains part of Ezidi religious life and continues to be observed at…
Historical illustrations by Max Karl Tilke document Ezidi traditional clothing in the Caucasus between 1920 and 1922, including portraits of Ezidi men and women and a separate costume study from Alexandropol.
Ezidi Waterfall in Van’s Muradiye district preserves the memory of the historical Ezidi presence in eastern Turkey and stands as a visible reminder of Ezidi ancestral roots in the region.
Nathaniel Brunt, a University of Victoria postdoctoral fellow and documentary photographer, is expanding the SERSAL Project through a Hannah Arendt Fellowship in Germany. The project focuses on digitally preserving the photographic and…
Discover the history, religion, language, and identity of the Ezidis, one of the ancient ethnic peoples of the Middle East. Learn about Sharfadin, Ezdiki, the historical homeland of Ezidis, and the origins…
Ezidi New Year, known as Çarşema Serê Salê or Eida Tawis Melek, is one of the oldest and most sacred feasts in the Ezidi faith of Sharfadin. Rooted in ancient Mesopotamian traditions…
Çarşema Sare Nîsanê, also known as Aida Sarsale, is one of the most sacred feasts in the Ezidi tradition of Sharfadin. Closely tied to spring, renewal, fertility, and remembrance, the festival reflects…
A limestone Ezidi tombstone from the Ottoman period is preserved at the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum in Van.
Zerîfe Ûsê, a historic Ezidi resistance figure from Şengal, continues to inspire generations as a symbol of courage, identity, and the enduring strength of Ezidi women and Sharfadin.
Why are Ezidis still introduced through the false label of “devil worship”? Why are they wrongly presented as part of a Kurdish identity, despite a long history that shows otherwise? And why…
The Grivan (Girîvan) is a key part of the white religious garment worn by Ezidis, known as the Kiras. It refers to the neckline of the garment and reflects the connection between…
Klocha Sare Sale is a traditional Ezidi New Year cake celebrated mainly among Ezidis from the former Soviet Union. Marking renewal and the arrival of spring, the ritual involves baking a special…
Historic photographs of Ezidi life from the Penn Museum archives are being returned to the Ezidi people through a project focused on memory, heritage, and cultural restoration. The initiative brings together archival…
Among the most ancient and spiritually profound celebrations in the Ezidi religious (sharfadin) calendar is the sacred feast of Xidir Êliyas and Xidir Nebî. This holy observance reflects the deep spiritual bond…
The holiday of Xidir Nebî and Xidir Êlyas is one of the most important religious celebrations among Ezidis, honoring two revered saints associated with protection, love, and life. Though venerated across multiple…
The holiday of Xidir Êliyas and Xidir Nebî is a sacred Ezidi holiday honoring the immortal saints Xidir Êliyas and Xidir Nebî, guardians of life, love, and protection. Observed each year in…
In 2014, the Mam Rashan Shrine on Mount Sinjar was destroyed in a campaign aimed at erasing Ezidis and their faith, Sharfadin. Its demolition was meant to sever a people from their…
On the night between 3rd and 4th February, 2026 marks Şevberat, the sacred night of forgiveness and purification for Ezidis. On this night, followers of the Şerfedim religion reflect, pray, and listen…
E’yda Çilê Zivistanê bimbarek-pîrozbe! Twice a year, Ezidis celebrate the sacred feast of çla—the Forty Days—marking both the summer and winter observances, known respectively as Çilê Havînê and Çilê Zivistanê. These feasts follow the completion of…
Mağara (Ezidi) Village, once abandoned during decades of violence, is reopening to tourists. The village offers a rare insight into the Ezidis, followers of Sharfadin, and their centuries-old traditions—finally shedding light on…
