Sînka

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

The documentary focuses on the village of Sînka (also referred to as Sînko), situated in the Şeran district of the Afrin region. The village is geographically significant due to its close proximity to the district center of Şeran, located directly opposite the town. The settlement is described as large and picturesque, nestled within a landscape defined by a water valley known as Geliyê avê. A watercourse flows through this area, and the terrain is connected by a bridge, contributing to an environment described as lush and water rich.

The history of Sînka is deeply rooted in the ancient landscape. According to the host and a village elder named Apê Mihemed, the ancestors of the current residents originally inhabited the numerous natural caves (şikeft) that characterize the area. These caves, which are described as ancient ("kevnar") and potentially thousands of years old, served as dwellings and stables long before the construction of modern concrete structures or traditional earthen houses. The elder recalls that in the past, each cave had a specific owner and name associated with the family that utilized it, though these specific names have largely faded from collective memory. This transition from cave dwelling to constructed housing represents the primary historical evolution of the community.

Socially, Sînka is a substantial community, with estimates of its size ranging between 200 and 250 households. While the transcript does not detail specific tribal affiliations, it highlights the social history of Mala Mistefê Kelek. This family is remembered for possessing the first landline telephone ("nosilkî") in the village. Their home became a vital social hub where neighbors would gather to communicate with relatives living in Europe or other cities, illustrating the communal nature of the village before the spread of mobile technology. Other residents mentioned include Ebû Stêf and Mezet.

In the present day, Sînka is equipped with modern infrastructure, including a government electricity grid and a local school, Mekteba gundê Sînko. During the filming, the village appeared relatively quiet, as many residents were reported to be working in the bazaars or tending to their olive groves. The driver mentions a specific location within the village called Nîrwa Ozan. The narrative emphasizes a strong sense of nostalgia and attachment to the land, with the driver contrasting the difficulties of life in exile ("gurbet") with the comfort of being in one's homeland. The documentary concludes with the host preparing to visit the neighboring villages of Xerabê Şara and Elqê.

Senkerlî, also known as Sînko, is a village located in the Şeran district of the Efrîn region. Its origins date back approximately five hundred to six hundred years, a timeline estimated by the age of the ancient Dara Tûyê, a large mulberry tree whose life spans the entire history of the settlement. The original inhabitants are Kurdish, comprising both Êzîdî and Muslim populations. They belong to the Şîkak tribe, a group that originally migrated from the Urfa region in search of water and grazing lands.

The village is currently home to original Kurdish inhabitants as well as displaced families from Hims and Idlib. Among the notable local lineages is the Çawîş family. Elders like Ebdilmenan Çawîş and Reşîd Çawîş preserve the local history. A prominent historical figure from this family was Qere Henan, who served as the village mukhtar over eighty years ago. Qere Henan was renowned for his wisdom and represented the interests of Senkerlî and neighboring villages at the government center in Kilis. According to local lore, he once cleverly mediated a complex divorce case by appealing to the shared blood and eyes of the father and child, impressing the judge so much that the magistrate suggested Qere Henan take his place.

The village features several prominent landmarks. To the south lies Bîra Îsa, a historic well dug by a man named Îsa. Located in the valley known as Geliyê Bîrê, this well historically provided drinking water for the entire village and their livestock. The massive Dara Tûyê shades the area, serving as a traditional gathering place for village elders to sit, eat, and socialize. At the top of the village hill rests the sacred shrine known as Ziyareta Xerîb. The architectural heritage is preserved in extremely old houses built from fieldstone with thick arches and traditional roofing, such as the home of Hec Mistefa which was built over a century ago.

The people of Senkerlî are known for being honest, kind, yet toughened by their rugged mountain geography. Agriculture is central to their livelihood, particularly the cultivation of olives, vines, and pomegranates. Women in the village prepare traditional Kurdish regional dishes like Boraniyye. Residents proudly preserve their heritage, with some elders like Ebu Azad still wearing traditional Kurdish clothing and performing ancestral dances including Baqiye, Hemo, Qertal, Xatûniye, Şêxaniye, and Reş. Despite maintaining these strong agrarian and cultural roots, the village has evolved, seeing many residents move to Heleb and Efrîn for work, and now boasting a high rate of university graduates.