Ze'rê

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se6idLNbGo8

The village of Ze'rê, situated in the Bilbil district of Çiyayê Kurmênc (the mountain of the Kurds), is a historic settlement located just two kilometers from the artificial border separating Syria and Turkey. Founded over 300 years ago, the village rests on the slopes of the prominent hill known as Zûyê. According to village elder Apê Hecî, the first settlers were Malê Hamskê, followed by Malê Alîkêna and Malê Reşko. While Malê Hamskê eventually dispersed and vanished from the village, the Alûlera family later arrived, joining the remaining lineages. Today, the village is primarily composed of three main families: Alîko, Malê Reşko, and Alûlera.

The history of Ze'rê is deeply marked by the drawing of the border in the early 20th century, which severed the community from their relatives and lands in the north. Residents have kin in Kilis, Çerçiyê, Pelûlê, Pêrt, Cûqa, Bawûxê, and Mam Ereba. Elders recall a time when Efrîn did not exist as a city; instead, their economic hubs were Ezaz and Kilis. A historical landmark, Xanê Kabîl, once served as a caravanserai where camel drivers traveling through the region would stop to eat and feed their animals before continuing to Kilis or Entab. The imposition of the border confiscated approximately 50 hectares of village land and created a minefield that has injured at least ten villagers over the years. Apê Hecî recounts the lament of his cousin, Reşxêl, who wept when the border was established, predicting that future generations would eventually lose their familial connections—a fear that has largely come to pass.

Despite these hardships, Ze'rê is renowned for its water sources and communal spirit. The village boasts around seven or eight springs, including Kaniya Mola Cimo, Kaniya Çinarê, Kaniya Hesen, Kaniya Qîskê, and Kaniya Kûrkê, which historically provided ample water for the residents. Before modern transportation, villagers relied on donkeys to carry grain to Aşê 'El Kûrê (The mill of El Kûrê). The village retains strong social cohesion, particularly during Cejna Qurbanê (Eid al-Adha), when the entire community gathers to share meals, maintaining a tradition that has faded in many other places.

Religious and cultural life in Ze'rê centers around the ancient Ziyareta Çûçik (also called Sehabê Çûçik). Dating back more than 300 years, this shrine is a site for healing rituals where visitors tie strips of cloth (paçik) to the site or drive stakes into the ground to cure ailments. It is also a focal point for rain prayers and seasonal celebrations where villagers cook and eat together. The documentary also highlights the preservation of heritage through residents like Dya Emmar, who collects antique items like the hekîb (saddlebags), and the continued presence of traditional trades, exemplified by Xelo, a traveling shoemaker and singer from the village of Nazam, who keeps the musical legacy of figures like Hes Nazî alive in the region.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wQysLHT2pg

The village of Zerê is located in the Bilbil district of the Efrîn canton in the Çiyayê Kurmênc region. Situated directly on the border line (ser xetê) between Syria and Turkey, the village is approximately 3 kilometers from the town of Bilbil. According to village elder Hecî Mistefa, Zerê was founded over 300 years ago. The first inhabitants were the Mala Hamskê family, though they have since scattered and no longer reside there. They were followed by the Mala Alîkê and Mala Reşko families, and later the Elûlera family. These three groups currently constitute the three main lineages (sê ocaq) of the village.

The history of Zerê is deeply defined by the imposing of the border in the early 20th century. Residents maintain close kinship ties with villages now located across the border in Northern Kurdistan, such as Kilûrê, Çerçiya, Pelûla, Pîrta, Cûqa, Bowixê, Mam-Ereba, and Gundê Ecema. Elders recall a time before the border when they traveled freely to trade in Kilis and Ezaz, stopping at the Xana Kebûl regarding trade routes. Hecî Mistefa recounts a story of his grandfather, Reşkel, weeping when the border was established, predicting that future generations would become strangers to their own kin. The physical reality of this separation is marked by landmines; one elder notes that ten people from the village lost their limbs due to mines planted in the agricultural lands that were cut off from access.

Geographically, Zerê is renowned for its water resources, boasting seven or eight springs including Kaniya Mala Cimo, Kaniya Hesen, Kaniya Qîskê, and Kaniya Kurkê. These springs have historically sustained the village and its livestock. The village landscape includes hills such as Zûyê Giran and Herî-bilind, and residents recall a historical mill known as Aşê Elkurê.

Culturally, Zerê is distinguished by its preservation of communal traditions that have faded in other parts of the region. During Cejna Qurbanê (Eid al Adha), the entire village gathers to share meals together, a custom emphasized by residents like Ebdurehman as a symbol of their unity. The village is also home to a shrine known as Sehabê Çûçik, estimated to be 300 to 400 years old. Locals visit this site for healing rituals and to pray for rain during droughts. Notable figures in the documentary include Dya Emmar, a curator of local antiques, and Xelû, a traveling shoemaker and singer from the neighboring village of Naza, which is famous for producing artists like Hesen Nazî and Evdê Şe'rê.