Who Are the Kurds?
The Kurds are an Iranian ethnic group indigenous to the mountainous region spanning Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria—an area commonly called Kurdistan. Numbering approximately 30-40 million, the Kurds are the world's largest ethnic group without their own nation-state. They speak Kurdish, an Indo-Iranian language with several dialects (Kurmanji, Sorani, and others). Despite promises of statehood after World War I, the Kurds were divided among new nation-states that have often suppressed their identity. Kurdish history is marked by uprisings, guerrilla warfare, and the enduring dream of self-determination.
A Divided Nation
After World War I, the 1920 Treaty of Sèvres promised Kurdish autonomy, but the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne partitioned Kurdistan among Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and later Syria. Each state pursued different policies toward Kurds—Turkey denied their existence for decades ("Mountain Turks"), Saddam Hussein's Iraq used chemical weapons against them, Iran suppressed Kurdish political movements, and Syria denied citizenship to many. This division means Kurds must navigate multiple national contexts while maintaining transnational solidarity. Cross-border Kurdish identity persists despite state boundaries.
Peshmerga: Those Who Face Death
Peshmerga ("those who face death") are Kurdish fighters who have defended Kurdish areas for over a century. Iraqi Kurdistan's Peshmerga gained international recognition fighting ISIS after 2014, liberating territory and protecting minorities. In Turkey, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) has fought a guerrilla war since 1984. In Syria, Kurdish YPG forces carved out autonomous Rojava. The Kurdish fighter—particularly women warriors who defied ISIS ideology—became powerful symbols. But Peshmerga also reflect the fragmentation of Kurdish politics, with rival groups sometimes in conflict.
Rojava: Democratic Experiment
During Syria's civil war, Kurds established the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava), implementing "democratic confederalism"—a system emphasizing grassroots democracy, gender equality, and ecological sustainability. Women co-chair all institutions alongside men. The experiment drew international attention and volunteers. However, Rojava faces Turkish military operations, uncertainty over US support, and tensions with the Syrian government. Whether this Kurdish political experiment survives remains uncertain, but it has offered an alternative model of governance in a conflict-torn region.
Culture and Tradition
Despite political divisions, Kurds share cultural traditions including Newroz (New Year, March 21), the spring equinox celebrated with fire, dancing, and traditional dress. Kurdish music, poetry, and folk traditions persist, with epic poems celebrating resistance. Many Kurds are Sunni Muslim, but the region includes diverse beliefs—Yazidis, Alevis, Christians, and Jews have historically inhabited Kurdistan. Kurdish cuisine (kebabs, dolma, various breads) reflects the mountainous homeland. Cultural production continues in diaspora communities across Europe and worldwide.
References
- McDowall, D. (2004). A Modern History of the Kurds
- Gunter, M. M. (2016). The Kurds: A Modern History
- Eccarius-Kelly, V. (2011). The Militant Kurds: A Dual Strategy for Freedom