Bircikê Silêmên

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA0SzAZ3nRQ

The village of Birca Silêman is a historic settlement located in the Şêrawa district of the Efrîn region, situated on the rocky slopes of Çiyayê Lêlûnê. The village is named after its founder, Silêman, and is distinguished by the presence of a historical tower ("birc"). It is located approximately 30 kilometers south of Efrîn and near the famous ruins of Kela Semanê.

According to local oral history recounted by the elder Mihemed, the village was founded roughly 300 years ago. The inhabitants belong to the Mala Silêman family, which traces its lineage back to the founder, Silêman, son of Şêrqî. The residents are identified with the Dewrêş î Ebdî tribe, though the documentary narration also associates the village with the Sergiyan tribe. The ancestors of the villagers were originally shepherds who migrated from an area known as Megel Tambûrî. They settled briefly in Kibêşîn before establishing Birca Silêman on the site of ancient ruins.

A pivotal moment in the village's history involves a period where the adult population diminished significantly, leaving the settlement nearly empty. The lineage was preserved by Zêneb a Silêman, a woman who returned from Kibêşîn to raise the surviving children, specifically Elo and Şerqo, who were the sons of Mihemed and Ehmed (grandsons of the founder). These survivors repopulated the village, and the current residents, including the Mala Şerqo branch, are their direct descendants.

Birca Silêman is renowned for being built directly atop and within an ancient archaeological site, likely of Roman and Kurdish origin. The village contains approximately 17 caves, some of which feature ancient olive or grape presses known as Şkefta Ma'serê. In the past, villagers lived inside these caves and used them for stabling livestock before constructing modern stone houses. The site features roughly 10 ancient cisterns (Sahrînc) carved into the rock for water storage. The ruins feature carvings, including solar motifs associated with Kurdish heritage and other symbols.

The geography surrounding the village is rugged and defined by specific named hills and valleys. To the south lies Tepeya Baniya Belek and Geliyê Boş; to the west is Tepeya Fêza Xezala; and to the north are Geliyê Sosê, Tepeya Badila, and Tepeya Kefir li be. Notable threshing floors used for agriculture include Bêdera Nokan, Bêdera Reş, and Bêdera Erdê. The villagers retain a strong connection to their agricultural roots, cultivating olives, wheat, and lentils despite the difficult, rocky terrain. The community is also noted for its preservation of oral traditions, including songs like Siwaro and Zeriyê.

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BIRCIKÊ SILÊMÊN

7.10.2017

The village of Bircikê Silêmên is the last village of the Şêrewa district of the Efrînê canton. It is built on Lêlûnê mountain, 20 km from the city of Daret Ezê and 30 km south of the city of Efrînê. The people of the village are mostly from the Sergiyan tribe.

The name of the village comes from the name of the person who founded the village, that is, Silêman, and because, like many villages in Şêrewa, it is famous for its towers.

The people of the village were initially sheep owners; they moved to the Ernê area of Tembûriyê, then moved to Kibêşînê, and later settled in the current location of the village.

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The village consists of only one family, which is the Silêmên family.

There are 40 houses in the village and nearly 200 people live there.

The village is famous for its abundance of historical buildings; 15 caves, 10 ancient cisterns, 2 classical presses, as well as a church and a tower are found there.

There are 4 threshing floors in the village: the Nokan threshing floor, the Reş threshing floor, and the Erdê Qabê threshing floor.

To the east are the village of Fafirtînê, the Çeqela hill, and the Bostan valley. To the south is a hill named Baniya Belek hill and the Boş valley. To the west is the Fêza Xezala hill, which is between the village of Bircikê Silêmên and the village of Bazêrê, affiliated with the city of Daret Ezê. And to the north are the Sûsê valley, the Badila Hill, the Kefirlabê hill, and Birc Heyder.

The villagers make their living from animal husbandry, with sheep, goats, and cows, and alongside that, they also cultivate wheat, barley, lentils, and vetch.

Nearly 10 people work in the institutions and bodies of the Autonomous Administration.

The village commune is named after Martyr Dijwar, and the women's commune is named after Ş. Canda.

It is worth remembering that the village was attacked twice by gangs, but the people of the village, along with the YPG and YPJ fighters, defeated all those attacks and defended their village and did not abandon it.

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It is worth mentioning that the role of women in this village is significant, from the work of shepherding, producing sheep products, farming, and harvesting grains.

A love for music and songs is a characteristic of the people of this village. They hold their own celebrations on the threshing floors, and everyone helps each other in joy and sorrow.

Cemîlê Elo was a famous flute player; he composed songs and melodies with the late artist Cemîl Horo.