Basûtê

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

The village of Basûtê, located in the Şêrawa district south of Efrîn, occupies a strategic position in the Deşta Cûmê plain, flanked by Çiyayê Lêlûn to the east and Çiyayê Bûzîkê to the west. Its history is exceptionally deep, with archaeological evidence at the site of Gumitka suggesting habitation dating back to the Stone Age, approximately 12,000 BC. The name itself is believed to be of Aramaic origin, derived from "Ba" (House) and "Sûta" (Seat or Bounty), translating to "House of Bounty," though a local Kurdish folk etymology interprets it as "Hot Wind" (Ba and Sot).

The history of Basûtê is defined by its fortress, Kela Basûtê. First mentioned in historical texts around 1145 AD, the site became a regional power center. From the 13th to the 17th century, the Mend tribe (or Malê Mendî) ruled the area under the Ayyubids. Following internal conflicts, the Ottomans transferred authority to the Rûbarî tribe, who were brought in from Kilis and Mereş around 1620. The Rûbarî held power for over a century until they were displaced by the Genc tribe, who migrated from Qonya.

The most famous figure in the village's history is Betal Axa from the Genc family. In the late 18th century, Betal Axa ruled Kela Basûtê as a semi autonomous leader, commanding a force of Ernawûta (Albanians) and local Êzîdî fighters. He eventually rebelled against the Ottoman state. In 1777, an Ottoman army was sent to quell the rebellion; the commander tricked Betal Axa into traveling to Heleb for negotiations. There, at Bab El Ferec, Betal Axa was betrayed and executed. His tomb, Tirba Betal Axa, was located in the Axyol district of Heleb until it was destroyed by modern construction. The fortress of Basûtê subsequently fell into ruin, and its stones were repurposed by locals to build houses in Endarê.

Socially, Basûtê is a model of coexistence between Kurds and Arabs. The Arab population arrived approximately 150 years ago, fleeing tribal warfare elsewhere; they were known as "Fawût" (refugees/survivors). They were welcomed by the Kurdish residents and integrated into the community. Today, both the Kurdish and Arab residents identify with the Emîrat tribe. Prominent families currently residing in the village include Malê Betêl, Malê Kullo, Malê Ebrûş, and Malê Hemzê.

Economically and culturally, Basûtê is renowned throughout the region for its agriculture, specifically its pomegranates (henar). The village boasts nearly 20,000 pomegranate trees, and the production of pomegranate molasses (dims) is a major seasonal activity. The village is also a hub for tourism due to its natural beauty and abundance of water sources like Serê Kaniyê. It serves as a resting point for visitors traveling to the nearby ruins of Kela Semanê and Eyn Darê. Culturally, the village is home to the musical group Koma Şehîd Diyar, originally named Koma Serhildan, which preserves local folklore and songs.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3nJQQ9itWk

The village of Basûtê, located in the Jûm plain of the Efrîn region, is a settlement renowned for its natural beauty, abundant agriculture, and deep historical roots. The village head, Rasul Xelîl, describes Basûtê as an ancient place in history, strategically situated to attract visitors from cities like Heleb who historically traveled there to enjoy its shaded groves and scenery. The village is famously associated with the historical landmark Keleha Basûtê (Basûtê Castle) and the legendary heroic figure Betalê Betêl, embedding the location in the broader folklore of the region.

Agriculture is the central pillar of life in Basûtê, which is home to approximately 600 households and 4,500 residents. The village is particularly famous for its pomegranates, known locally as hinarê Basûtê, which are celebrated in local songs. Beyond pomegranates, the fertile lands support a wide variety of crops including walnuts, pears, peaches, greengages, apples, and historically, cotton. The agricultural success of the village depends entirely on water resources, specifically the ancient spring known as Kaniya Basûtê.

Elders recount that in the past, the water from Kaniya Basûtê flowed freely through the village, irrigating gardens and cotton fields. Residents would gather at a sacred site simply called the Ziyaret near the spring, particularly during holidays, to perform sacrifices and clean the water source. Over time, water usage changed significantly. As the natural flow became insufficient for the expanding orchards, residents dug between 300 and 400 private wells. Eventually, a modern infrastructure project was implemented where water is pumped from the spring to a reservoir constructed beneath Cebel Ehlam. This system now supplies water not only to Basûtê but also to the neighboring location of Burcê.

Culturally, Basûtê has been a hub for Kurdish music and artistic expression. In 2005, following the impact of the 2004 uprising in Qamişlo, local youth founded Koma Raperîn, a musical group dedicated to the region's martyrs. Key members included the late Xalid Taha Baş from the Sibhî Elo family, along with others such as Deşto and Xelî Hecî Tankê. This group focused on teaching traditional dance and song to the younger generation. They frequently collaborated with other regional groups like Koma Armanc and Koma Newroz, organizing joint celebrations and cultural nights within the village.

The documentary explores the vibrant agricultural village of Basûtê, nestled in the southern countryside of the Efrîn region. Geographically, the settlement rests on the southwestern slopes of Çiyayê Lêlûn, which is sometimes locally referred to as Çiyayê Xewnan. Basûtê enjoys immense natural wealth primarily due to its abundant water sources. It is bordered to the west by Çemê Efrînê and is uniquely sustained by Kaniya Basûtê, a powerful local spring that provides steady water to the extensive orchards. In recent decades, the village has also benefited from irrigation canals connected to Bendava Meydankê.

Historically, the identity of Basûtê is completely intertwined with pomegranate cultivation. According to the village mukhtar, a man named Ebû Idrîs, pomegranates were not originally indigenous to the immediate area. They were introduced approximately a century ago when saplings were brought inland from the coastal regions and the town of Cisr Elşixûr. The residents of Basûtê were the pioneers in the Efrîn region to embrace this crop. Because pomegranates require substantial water, the orchards quickly spread along the fertile banks of Çemê Efrînê to neighboring settlements like Xezawiyê, Til Silor, Dêr Belût, Birc Ebdalo, Îskan, Cilme, Eyndarê, and Tirindê.

Today, Basûtê is widely celebrated as a premier tourist destination and a vital agricultural hub. Historically, families from Heleb and other regions of Sûriyê would frequently visit the village to cool off by the flowing spring and eat at local restaurants. The residents take immense pride in their land, claiming that a person leaving Basûtê is like a fish taken out of water. This deep agricultural connection is immortalized in regional folklore, specifically in a famous Kurdish song containing the lyrics "Çûm Basûtê hinar e, qefkê hinarê bû bi nisîbê yara," which tells the story of a traveler bringing a basket of Basûtê pomegranates to their beloved.

The village is particularly renowned for producing high quality pomegranate molasses. Local farmers harvest specific pomegranate varieties, including Lefan and Frensî. Workers manually extract the juice, filter it, and then boil it in large copper cauldrons over open wood fires for eight to ten hours. It typically takes seventeen to nineteen kilograms of fresh fruit to produce a single kilogram of thick molasses. This prized product is consumed locally and exported to international markets, including Turkiyê, Îraq, and countries across the Kendav region.

A local woman named Um Idrîs explains that pomegranate molasses is a cornerstone of the regional cuisine. It is heavily utilized in savory meals such as stuffed grape leaves, raw meat dishes, meat pies, and fresh salads. Despite this rich heritage, recent economic challenges and declining market profits have pushed some farmers to uproot their historic trees in favor of other crops like mangoes, peaches, and plums. Nevertheless, the pomegranate remains the undisputed symbol of Basûtê and a lasting testament to its enduring agricultural legacy.

Basûtê is an ancient and picturesque village located nine kilometers south of the city of Efrîn in the countryside of Heleb. Historical traces in the broader region date back as far as 3000 BC. The village features Qelata Basûtê, a fortress constructed during the Eyûbî era. According to local historical accounts, a major battle took place at Qelata Basûtê in the year 1601 involving Betal. His epic exploits during this conflict are still preserved in local Kurdish folklore and traditional songs. When discussing the etymology of the village name, local residents explain that it derives from the Kurdish language. The prefix Ba means wind, while Sota means hot or burning. Therefore, Basûtê translates to Hot Wind, likely referring to the warm air currents that flow through the valley. Other nearby villages share this linguistic prefix, including Bablît, Basilhaya, and Basimra.

The village is home to approximately 4000 residents. While the majority of the population consists of Kurds, there is a notable Arab community that makes up about 25 percent of the inhabitants. The community is deeply connected to agriculture, a practice that has been the primary source of livelihood for the past two hundred and fifty years. The village sits in a lush environment at the foot of Çiyayê Lîlon and is generously watered by Çemê Efrînê, along with local springs named Kaniya Basûtê and Serê Kaniyê. Because of this abundant water supply, Basûtê has earned a prestigious reputation for its fruit orchards. It is historically famous for its pomegranates, and local farmers also cultivate apples, apricots, quince, peaches, plums, almonds, and olives.

Culturally, the residents of Basûtê proudly maintain their Kurdish heritage. Traditional clothing remains culturally significant, with men historically wearing wide trousers and red shoes, while women wear distinctively tailored long dresses. Weddings are deeply cherished communal events that traditionally lasted a full week, beginning with a henna night and culminating in village wide celebrations. The spring festival of Newroz holds profound significance for the locals, serving as a symbol of freedom and salvation rooted in the history of Kawa, who defeated oppression and lit the fires of liberation.

Art and music are vital to the village identity. A local artist named Lava dedicates her work to painting traditional Kurdish motifs and historical landmarks. Her paintings often blend archaeological sites like Nebî Horî and Qelata Selaheddînê Eyûbî with Mizgefta Emewî in Şam to symbolize unity and shared heritage. In the realm of music, a teacher named Şadî instructs local children on the Tenbûr and the Biziq. They practice traditional folk dance rhythms such as Meqsûm and Corcîna, utilizing musical scales like Kurd, Hîcaz, and Beyat. The music often carries a melancholic tone, which residents attribute to their historical struggles, preserving their stories and identity for future generations.

The village of Basûtê is a prominent and historic settlement located south of Efrîn. According to local elder Ehmed Xidir, the name of the village has Syriac origins, combining the word for house and the word for chest, translating to Beyt El Sidir in Arabic. This name reflects the visual shape of Kela Basûtê, an ancient fortress that resembles a human breast, as well as the abundant spring water that historically flowed generously through the area.

The history of Basûtê is deeply tied to the era of Selahedînê Eyûbî, who used Kela Basûtê as a strategic defensive position against the Crusaders of Entakyayê. After the Crusaders were driven out, Kurdish populations from Entabê and Meraşê were relocated to the region. Over the past three centuries, various Kurdish tribes settled in Basûtê, including the Xaldî, Reşkotî, Reşwanî, and Şêrawî. The community includes numerous historic household lineages such as Betêl, Ebrûş, Emer, Silêmanî Kuto, Topoşane, Hisir, Çolo, and Xêlit. Today, a significant portion of the village population also consists of Arab residents. Elder Ehmed Xidir shares poignant memories of the Kurdish struggle for cultural survival, recalling early political awakenings inspired by Barzanî and the persistent local efforts to maintain their Kurdish identity and language despite systemic oppression from authorities in places like Sûriyê and Tirkiyê.

Basûtê is widely renowned for its rich agricultural lands and abundant water sources. The village relied heavily on a network of distinct springs, including Kaniya Pirr, Kaniya Tahtê, Kaniya Sor, Kaniyên Êş, Kanî Serek, Kaniya Malê Hemşo, Kaniya Malê Hesîb, and Kaniya Vîkê. However, locals note with sadness that many of these springs, which once irrigated hundreds of hectares along with Çemê Efrînê, have dried up in recent years due to modern artesian wells and upstream dams.

The village has a legendary reputation for its fruit orchards, particularly its pomegranates. A local farmer named Cemîl explains that the pomegranates of Basûtê are famous worldwide, with varieties being celebrated for their exceptional taste and medicinal properties. The village is also known for producing peaches, plums, and traditional pantry staples like pomegranate molasses, which the local women diligently prepare by hand every season.

Furthermore, Basûtê is a vibrant hub of tourism and cultural expression. It serves as a popular retreat for visitors from Helebê, Humsê, and Laziqiyê, many of whom come to dine at notable local restaurants like Serî Kaniyê, established by Me'rûf and his family in the 1970s, or to visit the nearby ancient ruins of E'ndarê. The village also boasts a strong artistic heritage, exemplified by the local folklore group Koma Raperîn. Founded in 2004 by cultural figures like Şadî Xidir and Xelîl Dildar, the group preserves traditional Kurdish music and dance, continuing to perform and release music with talented local artists like Alîn Xidir. Through its rich agriculture, enduring cultural traditions, and deep historical roots, Basûtê remains a vital and dynamic cornerstone of the Efrîn region.