Keştearê

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVxJ6L_SiQ

The village of Kişte'ar (also referred to as Keşta'ar) is situated in the Şêrawa district of the Efrîn canton, approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Basûtê and 30 kilometers east of Efrîn city. Historically attached to Erfad, the village is noted for its deep social cohesion between Kurd and Arab residents. The name Kişte'ar is believed to have originated from the word Qesr (Castle), with the letter "K" added during the French mandate period.

The social fabric of Kişte'ar is characterized by long standing coexistence. The Arab population largely belongs to the Neîm tribe, with the Ṭeyy tribe also present. Residents emphasize that despite linguistic differences, the community functions as a single family. Prominent lineages include the Misto family (originally Bêt Misto), whose ancestors arrived approximately 200 years ago; the founder, Muṣṭafa, settled there, and over time the family adopted Kurdish names and customs. Another key family is the Rûbarî (or Xûbarî), who migrated from the neighboring village of Cilbirê about a century ago to cultivate land in the area. Other families mentioned in the village's history include Hemdê (originally Hiyaniyê), Brîmo, and Qiblewî.

Economically and geographically, Kişte'ar is famous for its deposits of Kîlê (Fuller's earth or clay), specifically found in the eastern lands known as Aradî El Beylûnê. For generations, this clay was mined and sold to merchants in Heleb (Aleppo) for use as a natural soap for hair and skin, as well as for sealing oil wells. The village is also known for the craftsmanship of brooms (mikise or sirbiga), a trade practiced by families for over 40 years. Water sources have historically been vital, with landmarks such as Bîra sêvê, Bîra Pêz, Bîra Xerbî, and Bîra Avzê serving the community.

The village has been deeply impacted by the Syrian Civil War. A historic guesthouse (oda) founded by the elder Hec Mehmûd el Xubarî once served as the center for conflict resolution and storytelling, where figures like Ebû Zîr, Şînî Gundin, and the storyteller Silê Carke (also known as Ismaîl Hec Ehmed) entertained the villagers. This guesthouse was destroyed by Russian airstrikes during the conflict. The village was occupied by Cebhet el Nusra and later by Daîş (ISIS) for eight months. During the Daîş occupation, several villagers were captured and executed in Ezaz. Despite these hardships, the community maintains its strong internal bonds and agricultural traditions, cultivating olives, wheat, and lentils.

85

KEŞTE’AR

4.8.2017

When one enters the village of Keşte’rê, one's eyes immediately fall on the traces of bullets and bombs; it becomes apparent to one that a heavy battle has taken place in the village.

The village of Keşte’arê is affiliated with the Şêrewa district of the Efrînê canton, located 25 km northeast of the town of Basûtê and 30 km east of the city of Efrînê, and also 6 km south of the town of Dêr Cemalê.

Previously, the village was affiliated with the Erfadê district of the Şehba canton, but after the Rojava revolution, it was joined to the Efrînê canton.

It is estimated that the name of the village comes from the name ((Eştar)), but during the French period, the letter (k) was added to it.

86

Many archaeological sites, from tablets and statues, are found in and around the village, which also indicates the depth of the village's history.

The village of Keşte’arê is composed of both Kurdish and Arab components, and both live in harmony, acting as a single component in joy and sorrow.

There is a guest room in the village; Hec Miho Xubarî, who was one of the great elders of the village, established this room, which was a place for guests and travelers and also a place for the assembly of all the village people, where all problems were discussed and resolved, but now this room is closed and not in use.

Misto, was the first person to settle the village, and he was from the Arab tribe of Ni’êm. Later, the Robarî or Xubarî family came from the village of Cilbirê because they had fields around the village of Keşte’arê, and together they populated the village.

There are 9 families in the village:

The Misto, Necîb, Diyab, and Dîbo families are all from one root, from the Ni’êmî tribe. The families of Mihemed Elî, Mûse, Ehmed, and Îsa are also from one root, that is, from the Robarî tribe. And the Heyanî family came from the village of Heyanê and is from the Tey tribe.

All the families and components of the village have good and pleasant relations and connections and have intermarried, and also all their customs and traditions have become like those of the Kurds.

There are nearly 50 houses in the village, and around 1500 people live there, but many people have moved to the city of Helebê due to the scarcity of agricultural products.

87

To the north of the village is the village of Tinibê. To the east are the village of Til Ecar, the Feysel mill, and the city of Erfadê. To the south is the town of Dêr Cemal. To the west are the village of Cilbirê and Bênê.

The Sêvê Well is to the north of the village, and its water still exists. The Pêz Well is in the middle of the village; previously, sheep were watered from it, and now it has become a source of water for the people of the village. The Xerbî Well also still has water.

The people of the village make their living from agriculture, from fields of crops like; barley, wheat, and lentils, along with which they also plant olive groves and vineyards.

Some families also own livestock like sheep, goats, and cows, as well as honeybees. There are 2 thread factories in the village where nearly 10 people work, and nearly 25 people work in the departments and institutions of the Autonomous Administration.

It is worth remembering that the village of Keşte’arê is famous for its KÎLÊ (clay). Previously, the people used it for washing their hair, and it is also still used for treating some illnesses, like skin diseases.

The village commune is named after Ş. Xebat, and there is also an elementary school in the village.

Îbrahîm Miho, Hec Mihemed Elî, were elders of the village; they did much work and service for the village.

It is worth mentioning that the literacy rate in the village is high; nearly 30 people have graduated from university in various departments.

88

• Previously, the village was under the control of the Artêşa Azad gangs, and in 2014, DAIŞê occupied the village and stayed for 8 months. Afterward, the Eniya Kurdan took control of the village, but then it was attacked by the gangs of the Eniya El Nusra, and in 2015, they brought it under their control. Therefore, the villagers were forced to be displaced from their homes. Also, the airplanes of the Sûrî and Rûsî regimes bombed the village, and as a result, many houses were destroyed, and the homes and property of the villagers were stolen.

After 3 months, in February 2016, the YPG and YPJ forces, in a heavy battle against the gangs of the Eniya El Nusra, liberated the village, and all the villagers returned to their homes and also established their institutions and communes.

But now, after the Turkish occupation of the city of Ezazê, many attacks with cannons and mortars are bombing the surroundings of the village. Also, many dangers have spread within the village, and the villagers cannot live freely in their homes and cultivate their fields.