Kurkê Jorin

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikTuzI6TJgY

The village of Kurkê Jêrîn (Lower Kurka) is a historical settlement located in the Mabeta district of Afrin (Çiyayê Kurmênc). Situated approximately 22 kilometers north of Afrin city, the village shares a deep connection with its twin village, Kurkê Jorîn (Upper Kurka). According to oral history and local elders, the village was founded over 600 years ago. The name "Kurka" is believed to originate from the Kurdish word for "sons" (kur), referring to two brothers who originally settled the area; one established the lower village while the other moved to the upper site. Another interpretation suggests the name reflects the abundance of "beautiful water" in the region, which historically flowed from Qûpê down to Hecû.

The village's social fabric is woven from various waves of migration and settlement. The founding lineage is identified as Mala Hemîtê (descendants of Mala Hekîm). However, a tragic event involving the death of a child who fell from a tree caused this original family to burn their property and leave the village entirely. Subsequently, other families arrived to repopulate the area. Mala Altona migrated from Deşta Hemqê, followed by Mala Hemçûçê. Later, Mala Kurê Ehmedo arrived from Ba'dîna, notably led by Mehemed Agha, who established an olive press in the village around 1865. Other notable families include Mala Orgîta (from south of Dimîliya), Mala Ebdikê and Mala Elî Şêrvên (both from Kobaniyê and associated with the Nêimî tribe), and Mala Eynê.

Kurkê Jêrîn is also known for a significant historical relationship with the Armenian community. Following the events of 1915, Armenian survivors settled in an area of the village now known as Xerabe Temirciya (Ruins of the Blacksmiths). They lived in caves and built structures, providing essential ironworking services to the villagers. Relations were harmonious, leading to intermarriage, such as the union between a villager named Sultan and an Armenian woman. Most Armenian residents eventually moved to Aleppo or Efrîn, but their legacy remains in the ruins and oral histories.

The landscape around Kurkê Jêrîn features several named landmarks and water sources, including the spring Kaniya Dehabav and the pond Gola Kurka. Valleys such as Geliye Rşiyê, Geliye Hûpa, and Geliye Sahrîncê channel water through the terrain. The village is home to sacred sites like Ziyareta Mîra (also referred to as Serdangaha Mora), which contains two wells. Culturally, the village has produced figures like the renowned tambur player Necîb Mihemed Hebeş, who accompanied the artist Mihemed Elî Tecû. In recent times, the village has honored martyrs such as Şehîd Dilşêr and Şehîd Cîhad, naming local institutions after them.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIx0FNLEzE8

The village of Qerqo, also referred to locally as Kirkê, is situated in the Mabata district of the Efrîn region. The settlement is geographically and socially divided into two distinct sections known as Qerqê Jûrin or Upper Qerqo and Qerqê Jêrin or Lower Qerqo. According to an elderly resident, the village origins trace back to migrants from Kûbanî who belonged to the Berazî tribe. This elder explains that the name Kirkê is linked to the word "qicik" which implies something small, possibly referencing the founder or the modest scale of the original hamlet. While the exact foundation date is lost to time, the presence of ancient stone houses and oral history regarding ancestors suggests a presence spanning many generations.

The social structure of Qerqo is defined by several prominent lineages distributed between the two sections. In the upper village, the Malê Bozo and Malê Heso are cited as foundational families, alongside Mala Becet. The lower village is home to families such as Mala Bekrî Hemçîçê, Mala Çapûk, Mala Eltûne, and Mala 'Elî Têne. Additionally, the lineage of Qerqol Axê is noted as a significant origin point for a specific household. Historically, the village was substantial, with the host estimating around 100 households in the upper section and 75 in the lower. However, migration has severely impacted the population, with one elder noting that only a few families remain permanently in the upper section.

Notable landmarks in Qerqo reflect its agricultural and spiritual life. The village contains a site known as Mazal Cema'a, which serves as the cemetery and a place of reverence for the deceased. Economically, the village is deeply rooted in olive cultivation. This is evidenced by the presence of a historic olive press known as the Me'ser, which residents view as a piece of heritage, contrasting with a modern industrial press recently built for the community. The village is also closely linked to neighboring settlements like Ba'dîno, Sêwiya, Berbenê, Gûliya, Dimila, and Qidê, which form the surrounding geographic context. Water scarcity is mentioned as a challenge in the upper village, leading to reliance on cisterns and neighboring resources.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLX3hGPihLc

This documentary covers the social and religious life of two distinct communities in the Efrîn region: the village of Girke Zîra and the village of Qerqîna Jêrîn.

Girke Zîra: Spiritual Heritage and Lineage

The first portion of the transcript focuses on Girke Zîra, a village deeply connected to a prominent religious family. The community is centered around the memory of two spiritual leaders: Şêx Hesen and his son Şêx Elî. Şêx Hesen, who passed away around 1996, is remembered as a benevolent figure who performed secret acts of charity, such as paying for medical treatments or reconciling lovers, without seeking recognition. His shrine, Meqamê Şêx Hesen, remains a focal point for the villagers.

His son, Şêx Elî, continued this legacy until his death from Coronavirus on November 28, 2021, in Istanbul. His body was transported back to the village for burial. According to his nephew, Reşad, Şêx Elî was a scholar of Sharia who renovated the local shrine not for personal glory but to serve the community. The funeral procession was a major event, with the body carried six kilometers from Jîqla, passing through the neighborhood of Ceqatê and the intersection at Çatê before reaching the final resting place, Tirba Şêx Elî.

Residents like Khalki Zeyneb, who married into the Benûkûz family, describe local traditions associated with the spring season. She recalls practices such as Kumripik and the making of Zûrat (pilgrimages), highlighting a community life closely tied to the seasons and the sanctity of the local shrines.

Qerqîna Jêrîn: Agriculture and Modernity

The second half of the transcript shifts to Qerqîna Jêrîn, located approximately 22 kilometers from Efrîn and 10 kilometers from the district of Mabeta. The village is situated at a high altitude. Mihemed Reşîd Eşkerkomo, a resident, explains the village's agricultural history. The economy relies heavily on olive groves (Rez) and wheat. In the past, plowing was done by animals and harvesting by hand (Pale), but modern machinery like tractors and threshers (Patoz) has transformed their labor.

The social fabric of Qerqîna Jêrîn is marked by the tension between traditional customs and modern realities. Elders Ebû Selah and Sediqa discuss the strict marriage customs of the past, where couples were not allowed to date or even hold hands before marriage. However, a recurring theme in both villages is the pain of separation due to migration. Almost every family mentioned, including Solîha and Mihemed Reşîd Eşkerkomo, speaks of children living abroad in places like Germany, Holland, America, and Turkey, leaving the elderly to maintain the village homes and traditions alone.