Qopê

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

The village of Qûpê, also known historically as Hemşelek, is situated in the Efrîn region near Çiyayê Hawar. According to local oral history, the village was founded approximately three hundred years ago. Its name implies a history of hospitality and abundance; elders recount that a wealthy ancestor named Hemo kept large storage jars (called qûp) filled with preserved meat to feed guests and travelers. People would say they were going to "Hemo of the meat jars" (Hemo qûpê di goşt), which evolved into the name Qûpê. The alternate name, Hemşelek, is said to derive from Hemo dragging (şelek) provisions.

The settlement history of Qûpê is complex, involving the consolidation of earlier sites. Residents explain that the village formed from the merger of three distinct entities or nearby hamlets: Elî Bolo, Hecîba (or Hecîko), and Hemşelek. Remnants of these older sites, such as the ruins of Gundê Elî Bolo, are located near the current village. In the past, the inhabitants lived primarily in caves, including a site known as Şikefta mezin, before moving into stone and earth houses which have since largely collapsed or been replaced.

The village is home to a significant religious site, the shrine of Sifî Pênc, described as a "large tomb." A foundation legend connects this site to the arrival of storks and the discovery of water near Gundê Xelek, which prompted people to settle there. Historically, the villagers relied on communal wells for water, specifically named landmarks such as Bîra Pilingê, Bîra Elî Teybê, Bîra Sînê, and Bîra dîşko, before the advent of modern cisterns.

Socially, the village comprises various distinct families, including Mala Heyder, Mala Ebdî Mehoko, Mala Sebrî Yûsif, and Mala Ehson Lero. The elders, such as Mehdîn Mislim and Ebdo Elî Yûsif, recall a time of deep communal solidarity, where meat from sacrifices and agricultural harvest was shared widely among neighbors. Economically, the village has transitioned from vineyard cultivation (Rez) and grain farming to being dominated by olive groves (Zeytûn). Education was historically difficult, with children walking to Baedîna until a local school was built in Qûpê around 1976 during the era of Hafez El Esed.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCX3oFY4sBc

The documentary focuses on the village of Qûpê, located in the Çiyayê Kurmênc region. The village is described by the host as a small but ancient settlement (kevnar) situated on high ground. The landscape is characterized by rugged terrain, numerous caves (şikeft), and ancient cisterns (sarinc) carved into the rock. One specific water source or cistern area is identified as Kaniya Lîme, while another significant subterranean site is referred to as Sarincê Kapnor. The village also contains ancient olive trees that were once sold cheaply due to debt but are now considered extremely valuable.

The history of land ownership in Qûpê is detailed through the testimony of an eighty year old elder, the son of Hisênê Elî. He explains that in the era of his forefathers, land ownership was determined by zote (force or occupation) rather than legal documentation. This changed in 1964 with the arrival of the Islah Zira'î (Agrarian Reform) implemented by the Syrian state. During this period, the local Axa (feudal lords) fled the region, and the land was subsequently distributed among the villagers, who then registered the deeds in their own names. The elder recalls a time when daily life was difficult but social bonds were stronger; he laments that while technology has arrived, the "taste of humanity" has vanished, and familial strife has increased.

Socially, the village is comprised of tight knit families, though many residents have emigrated. An elderly woman interviewed in the village mentions she originally hails from Gundê Dêrîş and identifies a nearby home as belonging to Mala Evdoyê Elî Sêlim. The host also visits his cousin Bekir and highlights a local shop run by Babekir, which has been serving the community for approximately forty five years. The village architecture features old stone houses and communal spaces where residents once ground wheat (genim dihêran) and baked bread, reflecting a historically self sufficient lifestyle that has largely faded in the modern era.

The documentary explores the village of Hemşelek, located twenty one kilometers northwest of Efrîn. Geographically bounded by Raco, Ma'betlî, Birbend, and Ba'denlî, the modern village is approximately three hundred years old. However, the surrounding area has roots stretching back to the Roman and Byzantine periods. The original inhabitants lived in an older village higher up the mountain but relocated to the current lower site during the second quarter of the twentieth century due to rugged terrain and difficult access. According to local elders, Hemşelek was historically composed of three distinct but adjacent settlements near the mountain peak.

The village is primarily inhabited by Kurdish families belonging to the Bîyan tribe and Arab families from the Neîm tribe. A fascinating aspect of the social fabric is the deep integration of these groups. The Hebîb family, descending from the Neîm tribe ancestor Ezeddîn Hemra, settled in the area over two hundred years ago. Over time, this Arab family fully integrated with the local Kurdish population. They lived alongside the original Kurdish families, intermarried, and adopted the Kurdish language. Older residents of all backgrounds now predominantly speak Kurdish, with some elders speaking very little Arabic. Other notable families include the Hemşelek, Elî Balo, Şêxo, Mislim, and Mirad lineages. Historically, members of these families spread out to nearby areas like Ereb Uşaxî, Zefenke, and Ba'denlî.

The village name Hemşelek is said to mean straw, while the name of the lower settlement and clan, Qobe, translates to meat. The landscape is marked by historical remnants, such as the ancient caves locally known as Ziqnaq, which were used by early settlers who sought refuge in the mountains. Surrounding the village are notable geographic features like Çiyayê Hebîb and Çiyayê Kolo, along with the old housing foundations of the Elî Balo settlement. The area also contains ancient cisterns and wells dating back centuries.

Today, Hemşelek is known for its agricultural character, particularly the cultivation of Zeytî and Xelxalî olives, almonds, and sumac. Despite its small size, it hosts displaced people from Heleb, Kifr Emîm in Îdlib, and Baba 'Emero in Hims. The village accommodates an industrial workshop run by a displaced man from Heleb. Since 2014, this workshop has built commercial baking ovens for bread and kaak, providing jobs for local residents and supplying businesses across northern Syria. The documentary concludes with a display of traditional music, featuring local musicians playing the buzuq and explaining how Kurdish musical traditions are deeply inspired by the natural sounds of the mountain environment.