Kosa

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75efleuVzSM

The village of Kûsa is situated in the Raco district of the Efrîn region, located directly along the border separating Rojava from Bakur. This ancient settlement sits opposite Çiyayê Taros and has a history spanning approximately nine hundred years. According to local elders, the village was originally founded at a site called Tilê Gozê, located about five hundred meters away from the current settlement. The ancestors of the current residents moved the village to its present location to be closer to water sources. The name of the village is derived from the Êla Kûsa, a tribe that is identified as a branch of the broader Şêxî confederation.

The history of Kûsa is deeply marked by the drawing of the modern border in 1938. This geopolitical division separated the villagers from much of their agricultural land and their relatives on the Turkish side. Despite this separation, the residents maintain strong kinship ties, noting that they all belong to the same lineage. The social structure of the village consists of several interrelated families, including Mala Çêxel, Mala Qamber, Mala Reşkê, Mala Sîno, Mala Garcîn, Mala Berîmce, Mala Qîse, Mala Hesen, and Mala Kosen. While the village currently houses around fifty families, a significant number of the original inhabitants have migrated to cities such as Heleb and Hums for economic opportunities.

Geography and water play a central role in the identity of Kûsa. The village is famous for its eight springs, which include Kaniya Gund, Kaniya Olq, Qestel, Kaniya Ga, Kaniya Eho, Kaniya Germik, and Kaniya Drikê. These water sources have historically supported orchards of pomegranate and walnut trees, although some have dried up in recent years. The surrounding landscape features distinct valleys such as Geliyê Mûsê, Geliyê Penêreka, and Geliyê Şurkê. Additionally, the village is home to Kelha Sorê, a ruined fortress dating back to the Byzantine era. An elder named Apê Mûsa describes this site as a former military garrison used to defend against invasions, linking it to the El-Hesiyîn and the region's turbulent history.

Culturally, Kûsa is the home of the renowned poet Arif, who passed away two decades ago. He authored poetry collections such as Dîwanê Çiyayî and Hawar û Hêvî, writing in Kurmancî using the Latin alphabet. He was a learned man who memorized religious texts like the Qur'an, Încîl, and Tewrat, while also composing verses about Kurdish historical figures like Qadî Mihemed, Şêx Seîd, and Simko. The village also preserves traditional veterinary practices, specifically the production of a medicine called Qopan, made from local plants like Evris and Tîbûk to treat livestock. Legends of the tribe include the story of Ûsivê Şêr, a notable figure from the Kûsa lineage.

VILLAGE OF KOSA

19.1.2016

The village of Kosa is situated opposite the TOROS mountains, affiliated with the Reco district of the Efrîn canton, about 25 km north of Reco and about 3 km from the northern border. Previously, the village of Kosa was at (Tilê Gazê), which is to the northwest of the village, but they later came to this area for the availability of water.

The name of the village comes from the name of the (KOSA) clan, which is a branch of the (Şêxî) tribe. The age of the village is more than 900 years, and it is the oldest village in this region.

Previously, the village was affiliated with the Qoçanlî district, which is part of the Kilis region, but after the border between Rojava and the north was drawn in 1938, the village was attached to the Reco district, but to this day, many of the villagers' fields remain in the north, or on the border line.

The village of Kosa is at the foot of Mount (Behîvê). To the north are the mountains of (Benê Mile) and Benê Mistefakê; to the east is Benê Mêşa, where honey bees were kept; and to the south is Benê Birîkê, where there is a water spring.

To the north of the village and on the border line are the villages of (Dêr Osman and Qaziqlî); they have had social relations with each other for a long time and have intermarried. To the east is the village of Şingêlê, to the north Penêreka, to the south Meydana, and to the west is Ekbes Meydana.

There are about 50 houses and nearly 1500 people living in the village.

There are 6 families in the village, and all are from one family, meaning they are all from the KOSA clan:

The family of Qîsê, Qêsim, Garcîn, Birîmce, Çêqir, and the family of Sîno.

The village of Kosa and the surrounding villages are very cold in the winter seasons because they are opposite the Toros mountains, whose slopes are adorned with snow in all seasons. But in the summers, the village of Kosa is very cool, and a pleasant and beautiful breeze blows there.

At the bottom of the village and to the north lies the plain of (Wêranşerê), which the official border and wires divide into two parts between the north and west of Kurdistan.

The village of Kosa is famous for its water and springs, and there are 8 springs in the village. The people of the village have dug a water well, and its water has been distributed to all the houses of the villagers, and they also water their fields with it.

There are many valleys and ravines around the village; to the north of the village are the Geliyê Mûsê and Geliyê Penêreka, and to the west is Geliyê Şurkê.

There are 3 caves to the west of the village; in the past, people lived in them, and after a while, these caves became places for sheep and livestock.

Because the soil of the village's fields is red, it is very suitable for agriculture. The people of the village, for their livelihood, rely on agriculture and primarily on the care of olive trees, along with the cultivation of wheat, barley, vineyards, and fruit trees.

Along with agriculture, some families make their living by raising livestock, and they sell their products in the markets of the region.

The fortress of (Sûrê) is to the west of the village, and it is an ancient fortress built during the Byzantine era. It has a hammam and many rooms, and to this day, its ruins are witnesses to the events and history that have passed. The length of the fortress wall is about 500 meters.

It is said that the events of the epic of (Ûsibê Şer) happened within the KOSA tribe, and he was a person from this clan.

There is a poet from the village named (Arif Xelîl), but he has now passed on to God's mercy. He wrote many collections of poetry and books.