Sariya

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWc7vZetDuk

The village of Sorya, also known as Sariya, is located in the Mabata district of the Efrîn region. Situated at the foot of Çiyayê Açolo within the Çiyayê Qîbê mountains, the village has a history spanning approximately 400 to 450 years. The name originates from its founder Mihme Soru (or simply Soro), whose nickname "Sor" referred to his red or fair complexion. Locals explain that during the Ottoman era the name was adapted to Sorya or Sariya, which bears a resemblance to the Turkish word for "yellow" or "blond." In later periods, the Baathist regime attempted to rename the village Saruşağı or Safra, but the original name persisted among the residents.

The community is historically rooted in the Şêxiyan tribe. Oral history recounts that Soro and his brother Ala were the initial figures, with Soro settling in the village while Ala established himself in Mabeta. The village social structure was originally built around four primary families: Heskelekê, Hecî, Çîlo, and Haskerzê. Over time, other families such as Seyid Xaje, Kûze, and Cewher immigrated from nearby locations like Şêx Bil and Senarê. Conversely, some lineages such as Bekir Xûce and Minanî Heso migrated away to villages like Çaqala and Xozyana. A particularly notable figure in village history was Êma Osê, a woman from the Heskelekê family who served as the village mukhtar around 1850, taking over the role from her father Osê Soro. In the 20th century, residents such as Elî Çîlo, Ahmedê Heskûlek, and Şêx Henîf were known for participating in uprisings against the French occupation.

The landscape around Sorya features several significant water sources that supported its agricultural life, primarily olive cultivation. These include the spring Kaniya Sêvê and wells such as Bîra Xoziana, Bîra Qerşîlê, and Bîra Xurşînê. A communal pond known as Gola Sariya traditionally provided water for livestock and served as a shared point between Sorya and the neighboring villages of Hebû and Şêytana. The village preserves the ruins of traditional olive presses known as Ma'ser, with one historic press located beneath the Heskelekê house dating back over a century.

Spiritual life in Sorya includes the veneration of a site called Ziyaretgeha Sariya, which locals visit on Wednesday mornings. The village also maintains a unique healing tradition associated with a specific house where lightning once struck a sheepfold, killing the entire flock. This location is now considered a place of healing called orî. Shepherds from surrounding areas bring sick livestock to this site on Wednesdays, believing the visit provides a cure for their animals. The cultural heritage of the area is further documented by local artists and poets like Bavê Ceng, who capture the history of the region and landmarks like Kelê Hûrî in their work.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXfkAJMg_j8

The documentary explores the historical and social landscape of Sariya, a village situated in the elevated areas of the Mabatê district within the Efrîn region. The host tours the village, which features many ancient stone houses, some of which stand in ruin due to the prolonged conflict in the area.

During a conversation with the village mukhtar, Beşîr Hemîd Mihemed, who belongs to the Hesko family lineage, the deep history of Sariya is revealed. According to oral tradition passed down from the elders, the village was established approximately four hundred years ago. The ancestors originally migrated from Tirkiyê to settle in this local Sûrî area. The foundation of the community is attributed to three brothers who established the three primary families of the village, namely the Hesko, Hacî, and Çîlo families. While the village once boasted around one hundred households, the current population has decreased to between sixty and seventy homes.

At the spiritual heart of the village stands a sacred olive tree known as Ziyaretê. The mukhtar explains that this tree is roughly four hundred years old, dating back to the founding of the village. It serves as a shrine dedicated to a local saint and martyr named Şêx Mihemed. The site is highly revered because many villagers have reported seeing the martyr in their dreams standing by the tree. Out of deep respect and religious awe, the residents strictly forbid anyone from damaging or cutting branches from this sacred tree.

Daily life in Sariya presents several challenges regarding infrastructure. The village does not have a medical clinic, a pharmacy, or even a basic grocery store. For these necessities, residents must travel to the city of Efrîn, located twenty four kilometers away. However, recent improvements have been made to their water supply. The community relies on a local well named Sariya and a water network connected to the Kaniya Reş spring, which was facilitated by the Behar organization. Historically, the local economy has depended heavily on olive cultivation. Before modern local presses were available, villagers would transport their olive harvests to presses in neighboring areas such as Erebê, Şêx Hesen, and Dêr Mîlyo.

The documentary also captures the social fabric of the village through interactions with local women. The host speaks with Xedîce, who notes that many young people have left for places like Heleb due to a lack of employment. Another resident, the mother of Mistefa, shares that she originally hails from the nearby village of Darwîş but married into Sariya. As the visit concludes, the mukhtar sends a heartfelt message to the Kurdish diaspora, urging them to unite and send aid to rebuild their ancestral villages after years of hardship. The journey ends acknowledging the beautiful surrounding villages such as Xelîl, Hebo, Şeytanê, Alkano, Me'melê, Emer, Dikirko, Cemaliko, Qentere, Xozayana Jêr, and Xozayana Jor.

61

SARIYA

13.1.2017

The village of Sariya was built on a high mountain named Eçolo mountain. It is affiliated with the Mabeta district of the Efrînê canton, 8 km north of the town of Mabeta and 27 km northwest of the city of Efrînê.

The name of the village comes from the word (SORO). It is also the nickname of the first person to settle in the village, because he was a grey-haired person, this name was given to him. Also, (Sarî) in Turkish means grey. It is worth mentioning that there is a village with the same name near Melatiyê called (Sarî Mehele). As the villagers state, there is a social connection between the two villages.

The first person to settle in the village was Soro, and later his son Osman, or Oso, populated the village, and he is from the Şêxî tribe.

62

is. After them, other families came and the village was populated. It is worth remembering that Soro and Ala are brothers. Ala settled in Mabeta and Soro in Sariya.

To the east of the village are the KITIX plain and the village of Kurka Jorîn. To the south is the village of Şeytana, which has become one with the village of Sariya, and the Xazyana plain. To the west are the villages of Hebo and Xelîl, and to the north are the villages of Kurka Jêrîn and Dimiliya.

The Qurşînê Well is to the west of the village. Its water remains in all seasons; it used to be the main source of water, but now it is not used, only shepherds sometimes water their flocks from it.

The Sariya Lake is between 3 villages: Sariya, Hebo, and the village of Şeytana. Water would collect in it and remain until the end of summer; the villagers would water their flocks from it.

The Sariya shrine is to the east, near the village. To this day, the people of the village visit it on Wednesday mornings.

There are 2 ancient olive presses in the village. They operated in a classical way since the French era and now only remain as statues.

The people of the village make their living from agriculture, and like all the surrounding villages, olives are the main product, along with walnuts, apples, pomegranates, and almond trees. Some families also own livestock such as cows, sheep, and goats.

Nearly 12 people go daily to the city of Efrînê to work in various factories, and around 20 people in institutions and

63

bodies of the Autonomous Administration work in the town of Bedîna and in the city of Efrînê.

Nearly 80 houses and around 1000 people live in the village. Nearly 40 families also live in Efrînê.

There are 2 martyrs from the village:

Şehîd Avreş and şehîd Xwîndar.

The village commune is named after Ş. Avreş and the village school is named after Ş. Dilşêr.

It is worth mentioning that the village school is old, built in 1952, and students from 7 surrounding villages studied there. Therefore, the literacy rate in the village is high, and many people have graduated from university as doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, and from various other departments.

Hec Fîlik, as the village mukhtar, provided many services and work for the village.

Hec Xelîl Hec Hesen, as a rebel with the family of Ehmedê Xelîl from Me’mila and Erifê Hemîd, carried out many activities against the French, and as a result, the French burned their homes.

There are 10 families in the village:

The family of Hes Kulek, Hec Hesen, Çîlo, Hes Kirzê, Seyîd Xeco, Kîzê, Menanê Heso who settled in the village of Xazyana Jorîn, Bekirê Xoce who now in the village of Çeqela Jorîn

64

live, and of the two families of Nibê and Simo, no one remains.

Nîhad Ce’fer is a lawyer and one of the founders of the Kurdish Democratic Party, and because of that, he faced much torture and detention.

Elê Çîlo, Ehmedê Hes Kulek, Hesenê Hes Kulek, Şêx Henîf, and Reşîdê Hec Qadir joined the uprisings against the French occupation.

It is worth mentioning that in the 1850s, a woman named ((Êma Osê)) was the mukhtar of the village of Sariya; she was the sister of Hes Kulek and was elected in place of her father, Osê Soro.