What is yezidees?

Yezidis are a religious minority group primarily found in northern Iraq, but also present in Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and other neighboring countries. Their religion, Yezidism, is an ancient syncretic faith that combines elements of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, and other local beliefs.

Yezidis have faced persecution and discrimination throughout history due to their religious beliefs and cultural practices, including being labeled as devil worshippers by some Islamic groups. They have also been targeted by ISIS in recent years, with many Yezidis being killed, enslaved, or forced to flee their homes.

Yezidi religious practices include the veneration of a peacock angel, whom they believe to be a benevolent creator figure, as well as the practice of pilgrimage to holy sites and the use of prayer beads. The Yezidi calendar, which is based on the solar year, includes several important festivals and celebrations.

The Yezidi community is organized around a system of castes, with different roles and responsibilities assigned to each caste. Traditional occupations include shepherding, agriculture, and carpet weaving, and the Yezidi language, Kurmanji, is closely related to Kurdish. Yezidis also have a rich oral tradition of storytelling and music.