Fafirtîn

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFOk2px_Pxo

Fafirtînê is a historically significant village located in the Şêrawa district of the Efrîn region, situated within the Çiyayê Lêlûn (also known as Çiyayê Kurmênc) mountains. The village's name is locally believed to be derived from "ba firtone" (storm wind), referring to the strong winds that characterize the high-altitude terrain.

History and Origins

The area has a deep historical footprint dating back to the Roman and Byzantine eras, specifically between the 2nd and 7th centuries AD. The village is home to the oldest church (Kinîse) in Syria, a basilica constructed in 372 AD. This site once served as a pilgrimage destination where monks were buried.

The modern settlement of the village is attributed to two founding brothers, Ezdîn and Quriş, from whom the current population descends. Approximately 75 years ago, the village also received migrants from the village of Şêx Aqîl following a conflict with Qubtan el Cebel. Historically, the residents of Fafirtînê were Êzîdî Kurds. However, the community underwent a forced conversion to Islam roughly 60 to 70 years ago. Before this conversion, the villagers buried their dead in the nearby Êzîdî village of Basûfan.

Social Structure and Life

The village describes itself as a single extended family, though it is divided into distinct lineages such as Mala Şêxê, Mala Êlalka, Mala Qesim, and Malê Hano. The local economy is driven by stone quarrying ("kargehên keveran"), livestock rearing, and agriculture, particularly olive and grain farming. The village has a strong communal spirit, with residents actively participating in collective work and defense; seven local martyrs, including Şehîd Şêro and Şehîd Nûjiyan, are honored, and the village communes are named after them.

Landmarks and Features

Fafirtînê is renowned for its immense number of caves. Historical records indicate the existence of 360 caves in and around the village, which were used as primary dwellings by the ancestors of the current residents before stone houses were built. Notable sites within the village include the ancient Kinîse and a ruin known as Keleha Xerab (The Ruined Castle), which contains wine presses and carvings of the sun and grapevines. The surrounding landscape is dotted with other historical ruins such as Batût, Banasor, Sûrk, and Bazêr, and the village lies just 7 kilometers from the famous Kela Semanê (Saint Simeon Stylites).

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FAFIRTÎNÊ

16.1.2017

The village of Fafirtînê is affiliated with the Şêrewa district of the Efrînê canton, located about 30km south of the city of Efrînê. This is the last village of the Şêrewa district, located 7 km from the Se’man castle.

It is expected that the name Fafirtînê means (Fig Fronts). The oldest church in Syria was found in the village of Fafirtînê, and its history dates back to 372 BC.

Quriş and Ezdîn are considered the two founders of the village, meaning they were the first people to settle in the village.

The village of Fafirtînê was built in a historical location where there are many historical things; around 200 caves, a church, and cisterns are still witnesses to its deep history. The thing that attracts attention

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is that there are historical shapes and symbols on the caves, showing that the village has an ancient history.

To the east is the village of Şêx Aqîl, where 75 years ago, as a result of a war between the village of Qubtan El-Cebel and the village of Şêx Aqîl, many people moved to the village of Fafirtînê and settled there.

To the south, there are 3 ruins: Batût, Banesor, and Sorq. To the west are the ruin of Bazêr, the Se’man castle, and the villages of Birc Silêman and Basofanê. And to the north are the village of Kibêşîn and Birc Heyderê.

The villagers make their living primarily from raising livestock like sheep, goats, and cows, and they sell their products in the markets of the city of Efrînê and provide for their household needs. Besides animal husbandry, some families cultivate olive groves, and the village farmers also plant their fields with wheat, barley, lentils, vetch, and vegetables.

Many people from the village are engaged in the work of stone cutting. Before the Rojava revolution, they worked in foreign countries like Lebanon, but now they work in the stone factories around Efrînê. A number of men and women from the village work in the institutions and bodies of the Autonomous Administration.

There are 7 martyrs from the village:

Şehd Sorxwîn, Bawer, Dijwar, Şêro, Şiyar and şehîd Nûjiyan.

The village commune is named after Ş. Şêro, and the women's commune is named after Ş. Nûjiyan.

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The Şêrewa region is generally known for its stones and rocks. There are also 7 stone quarries around the village, so most of the village's people work in those quarries.

Agricultural fields are scarce in the village because all the land is rocky, so the village farmers plowed their fields with animals.

Many wars and battles took place in this region. In the past, fighters would hide in the mountains in this region.

The village of Fafirtînê faced many attacks from gang groups, but like many villages in the district, the people of the village heroically rose up against them and, shoulder to shoulder with the YPG and YPJ, broke their attacks and defeated them.