Keferşîlê

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_gaLAJw-E8

History and Origins

The village of Keferşîl is located approximately three kilometers west of Efrîn. Its name is interpreted to mean "Baxçê şîlan" (Garden of wild roses). The site has deep historical roots; it is believed to have been a military post as far back as the era of the Mîtaniyan (Mitanni) due to the presence of ancient traces. The modern settlement, however, dates back approximately 250 to 400 years. According to village elder Ebdurehman, the area was inhabited about 70 years prior to the arrival of the current population by the Malê Kuleh, who originally came from Şorbe. These previous inhabitants eventually left, paving the way for the current families to settle.

Social Structure and Migration

The village is a mosaic of different lineages that have lived together for centuries. The Reşwanî tribe was the first to settle the land. They were followed by the Malê Cimo family, and subsequently the Sêjarazî (also referred to as Xelîl Sêjarazî). Other families include Malê Ehmed Sîdo (also known by the nickname Malê Memê, described as şêxîn or sheikhs) and Malê Qirik.

A voiceover in the documentary identifies four primary families currently constituting the village's core social structure: Çeqelî, Mistê Osê, Silêman, and Sêjarazî. Despite these distinct origins, the residents emphasize a strong sense of unity, stating that they no longer distinguish between families and act as a single entity. The village currently consists of approximately 80 households. It is noted for a high level of education, with around 50 graduates from universities and institutes, largely due to the village's proximity to Efrîn.

Economy and Landscape

Geographically, Keferşîl overlooks the vast Deşta Çiflikê and is backed by the heights of Reşwanên Maratê and Xelnêre. While the economy is now dominated by olive and pomegranate cultivation, the village has a rich viticultural history. An elder named Sebrî explains that centuries ago, the entire region, specifically between Keferşîl and Xanêre, was covered in vineyards (rez). He describes an ancient grape press, the Me'sera tir, located in the village, which dates back to at least 250 years ago. In the past, this site was used to produce molasses (dimis) and fruit leather (bastêq). Over time, the vineyards were replaced by olive groves and other fruit trees.

Traditions and Daily Life

The documentary highlights the preservation of communal traditions, particularly during the Ramadan holiday. Villagers engage in the preparation of Kumba, a traditional pastry spiced with sesame, cinnamon, and fennel. A distinct custom of Keferşîl is the communal holiday meal; historically, families would bring their food to the center of the village to eat together in a long line, a practice elders recall with nostalgia. The villagers also maintain the tradition of visiting the cemetery at dawn on Eid to pay respects to their ancestors and martyrs.

The village of Kefer Şîl derives its name from a Syriac term meaning the farm of Şîl. The original settlement known as Kefer Şîl El Qedîme was an ancient Roman village located two kilometers south of the current location. It once featured two churches, historical wells, water channels, and a central spring. After being destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic activity, the surviving inhabitants moved north and initially took shelter in local caves. Over time, they built the modern village. The oldest surviving house in the new village belongs to the Mistefa Osman family and bears an inscription dating it to the year 1220 Hijri.

Historically, the area was settled by Kurdish families who had previously lived in the caves of nearby Xilnêr. Two brothers named Silêman and Mistefa from the Ciqilî branch of the Reşwan tribe were among the primary founders of the new village, moving there to seek better grazing lands for their livestock. As the village grew, other families arrived through intermarriage, including the Xelîl Sîcrazî family, who are also known locally as the Hefîdîye. Eventually, members of the Şîkak and Koçer tribes also settled in the area. The region additionally hosted nomadic Arab shepherds from the Umeyrat tribe. These shepherds worked in agriculture and grazing alongside the locals, leading to intermarriage and some families registering on the village civil records.

The villagers have historically maintained strong social and administrative ties with Efrîn, Maibetlî, Şeran, Kilis, and neighboring villages such as Bablît, Xilnêr, and Meerate. Today, Kefer Şîl is known for its peaceful community and high educational standards, though residents primarily rely on cultivating olives, pomegranates, and grain. Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, the village has also become a refuge for internally displaced persons, such as the Eş Şehûd family from El Meera Eş Şerqî and others from Benî Zeyd in Heleb.

The residents of Kefer Şîl are known for their unique communal customs. The local historian Mihemed Silêman and the village mukhtar Ebû Îmad detailed rich historical traditions. During periods of drought, the community would gather at a sacred site known simply as the Zîyare. They would bring sheep to sacrifice, dance to the beat of drums, and share a large communal meal while praying for rain. During lunar eclipses, villagers believed a mythical whale was swallowing the moon, prompting them to beat drums and shoot firearms into the sky to frighten the creature away. Before the days of Eid, the men of the village practiced a custom called the charity of the dead, gathering in the village square to share a massive feast composed of dishes brought by every household.

The spirit of cooperation extended to weddings and funerals, where the entire village would contribute money to alleviate the financial burden on individual families. Notable residents interviewed include Beşîr Elî Cemo, Ebdilrehman Cemo, and the elderly Cume Ebdo, who shared memories of a peaceful past and sang a traditional song expressing the sorrows of displacement and changing times.