Qizilbaşa

General Information

Nahiya (Subdistrict)

Bilbilê

Also Known As

Al-Ras Al-Ahmar, Qizilbash, Qizilbaşa, الرأس الأحمر (AR translation), قزلباش, قزل باشه

Families, Clans, etc.

Êmer

Map of Bilbile

Map and Location

Coordinates: 36.685812, 36.874523

Source: akmckeever.substack.com

Photos

Photo of Qizilbaşa
Photo of Qizilbaşa

Basic Information about Qizilbaşa

Source: Tirej Afrin

Etymology: The name means "The Red Headed One" (qizil + baş). Historically, it was a metonym for the soldiers of Shah Ismail Safavi in the late 15th century, whom the Turks called this due to their red headgear. Locally, the name was given to one of the village's early residents who was cruel and rude, so the locals nicknamed him "Qizilbaşa" as a metonym for those traits.

Foundation Date/Period: Approximately 125 years ago (Late 19th century)

Summaries

I. Summary from TirejAfrin Site (English) of Qizilbaşa

Source: https://www.tirejafrin.com/site/kura%20afrin%20%20%20bilbile%20-%20xzal%20bash.htm

It is stated in the book Çiyayê Kurmênc (Efrîn): A Geographical Study: Qizilbaşa Qizilbaş The Red Head / 859 inhabitants - 347 hectares - 19 km - 620 m altitude /:

Qizilbaş: Meaning "The Red Headed One" (qizil + baş), a metonym for the soldiers of Şah Ismaîl the Safavid in the late fifteenth century. The Turks used to apply this name to Shiite Persians in general, describing them as cruel and atheistic. There is a story behind this naming: one of the early residents of the village was cruel and rude, so the locals gave him the nickname "Qizilbaş" as a metonym for those traits. The Arabized name is a literal translation of the popular name.

It is a small village located on the southwestern edge of the surface of a high plateau. Its houses are spread over three small adjacent hills.

It is stated in the book Efrîn... Her River and Her Green Hills:

Qizilbaşa: A village in Çiyayê Kurmênc following the district of Bulbul, in the Efrîn region of the Heleb governorate. It is a small village located north of the middle section of the mentioned mountain, on the southwestern edge of the surface of a limestone plateau covered with clay soil. The Efrîn river passes to the east of it at a distance of 50 km. It is 19 km away from the town of Bulbul towards the southeast. Its houses are spread over three small adjacent hills.

It is bordered to the north by a high mountain range planted with forest trees and the village of Şêx Xoroz; to the south by a deep flood valley, a high mountain range planted with olive trees, and the village of Naza Uşaxî; to the west by a slope and a flood valley, at a distance of 500 m, is the village of Bêlankê; and to the east by a slope, several watercourses, and the village of Qarqîne (or El-Qara).

The number of its houses is about 45, and its age is approximately 125 years. It is a modern village. Its old houses are made of stone and mud with wooden roofs, while the modern ones are cement and have spread to the south and north. An electricity network and a modern primary school are available. The village drinks water from a well belonging to the state or from cisterns that collect rainwater in winter.

Its residents work in rain-fed agriculture on an area of 347 hectares, cultivating olives, vines, and fruit trees, alongside raising sheep and goats. The road from the village to the town of Bulbul is paved up to the center of the village. Its lands are mountainous and sloping on three sides: the western, southern, and eastern. There is also a farm (mezre) on the western side consisting of approximately ten houses belonging to the mentioned village.

Among the families present in the village: The Êmer family.

It is mentioned that the writer and researcher Professor Heyder Omer, who resides in Germany, is from the people of this village.

Village Mukhtar: Ehmed Reşîd Omer.

Sources of Information:

  • Book: جبل الكرد (عفرين) دراسة جغرافية Çiyayê Kurmênc (Efrîn): A Geographical Study by د. محمد عبدو علي Dr. Mihemed Ebdo Elî.
  • Book: عفرين .... نهرها وروابيها الخضراء Efrîn... Her River and Her Green Hills by عبدالرحمن محمد Ebdulrehman Mihemed from the village of Qetme.
  • Studies of Navenda Tirej Soft / Ebdulrehman Hacî Osman.
  • Some residents of the villages.

Preparation and execution: Manager of the Tirej Efrîn website: Ebdulrehman Hacî Osman 20/12/2013

Possible Village Name Meaning of Qizilbaşa

Qizil bash means 'those with red heads,' referring to soldiers of Shah Ismail Al-Safawi. A story says one of the village's first inhabitants was harsh and cruel, so locals gave him the title 'Qizilbash' as a reference to those qualities.

Source: TirejAfrin Site