Ĥêcîka Jêrin

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFIZbAh_WSQ

The village of Hecîka which is divided into two sections known as Hecîka Jêrîn and Hecîka Jorîn is situated in the Recû district of the Efrîn canton. The settlement sits at a high elevation of approximately 800 meters on the slopes of Çiyayê Emînê. Local elders explain that the name Hecîka is derived from the phrase "Hemo da viran" which implies a place where people gathered or settled. The village history spans roughly 250 years beginning when ancestors migrating from the village of Hesen established the community. The founder of the lower village was Hecî Birîm while the upper village was settled by a figure named Hiso or Hisê Birîm. These early settlers maintained ties with Kilis from where they transported olive saplings and heavy stones to construct a traditional olive press known as a mehsere.

The population of Hecîka is characterized by a cohesive kinship structure belonging to the Şêxan tribe. The residents are primarily descendants of the Birîm family and elders emphasize that there are no strangers living among them as all inhabitants are cousins. This strong social fabric is reinforced by a history of shared labor and defense. A prominent story in the village collective memory concerns Hesen Mihemed Hiso who is celebrated for shooting down a French reconnaissance airplane with his rifle during the French Mandate period. The village also honors Şehîd Celal who is remembered as one of the first martyrs from the area during the conflicts of the 1990s as well as Şehîd Melsa.

The geography of Hecîka is marked by several specific historical and natural landmarks. The mountain itself is named Çiyayê Emînê after an ancestor named Emîn who was known for his walking stick. A central feature of the village heritage is a 250 year old plane tree called the Çinar which was planted by Hisê Birîm near the historic olive press. Beneath this tree lies an ancient well of indeterminate origin possibly dating back to the Roman era. For generations this well served as a vital water source not only for Hecîka but also for surrounding villages such as Atmana Qude Dêrwîş and Mûskê before modern infrastructure was established. The area also contains three ancient caves from the Roman period and sacred shrines known as Sêbikê and Sêbê Quncik. Today the villagers engage in olive cultivation and stone quarrying extracting black and white stone for export while traditional skills like rope making are maintained by residents such as Meqbûle.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BczCeGg3I_A

The documentary focuses on the village of Hecîka, located in the Raco district of the Efrîn region. The settlement is divided into two parts, Hecîka Jêrîn (Lower) and Hecîka Jorîn (Upper), situated at an altitude of approximately 800 meters on the slopes of Çiyayê Emînê. The name Hecîka is described as meaning "all places" or a gathering of places, referencing a time when people from various locations settled together. According to the elder Omer, the residents belong to the Şêxan tribe and are tightly knit, with all families being related cousins, primarily descending from the Birîm lineage.

The foundation of the village is attributed to an ancestor named Husê Birîm. Another elder, Seîd, states that Husê Birîm established the village approximately 250 years ago. He is famous for traveling to Kilis to procure stones for a ma'ser (olive press) and bringing back a Çinar (plane tree) sapling. This Çinar tree, now centuries old, stands as a central landmark in the village alongside the ruins of the original olive press. Beneath the tree lies a historic well which, before modern infrastructure, served as a critical water source for nearly ten surrounding villages, including Atmana, Qudê, Dêrwîş, Mûskê, and Banîkê.

The village is home to several historical and sacred sites. Beyond the Çinar and the old ma'ser, there are three ancient caves carved from the Roman era. A unique structure mentioned is Xaniyê bi herya şîr, a house reportedly built using mud mixed with milk. Religious life is marked by the presence of shrines such as Ziyaretkê Hin Sabikê and Sabê Quncik.

Hecîka has produced several notable figures and stories of resistance. Usê Mihemed was a prominent muxtar responsible for resolving disputes across three villages. A local legend recounts the bravery of Hesen Mihemed Huso during the French Mandate; when French aircraft were scouting the region, he allegedly shot one down using his rifle. The village also honors Şehîd Celal, a martyr from the 1990s, and Şehîd Melsa.

Culturally, the village preserves a strong musical tradition. The artist Salah Berim is a native, and he speaks of the influence of local singers like Ehmedê Kêlî and Sidqiyê Bavê Şahîn. Economically, while the community historically relied on charcoal production and livestock, they later transitioned to olive farming. The region is also rich in natural stone resources; villagers like Remezan work in local quarries on Çiyayê Emînê, extracting black, white, and honey colored stone for export.