Kurdish Literature
Examples Used
In the Literature Dropdown menu you will see three authors, with either them or their works show in the images below.
Read more below for an outline of what will be covered, along with an outline of how literature was used by the Kurds.
Social meaning:
This will cover a few main themes:
- The impact of the work on the people
- What the Work aimed to achieve
- An outline of why this was necessary
Literary significance:
This section will look at:
- What the use of language means, be it dialect or metaphorical use
- An outline of what this meant at the time
Broader meanings:
Here the broader implications will be explored, specifically:
- International issues
- Broader aims of the authors
- Motifs and culture
The use of literature by the Kurds
Throughout their history, we see the Kurds using literature to achieve more than book sales and fame. Literature for them is a tool for cultural expression, defiance, social justice and propagation.
How have they done this, and why?
As will be touched on in the history section, the Kurds have been oppressed and denied recognition for centuries. This lack of unity and geopolitical recognition along with attacks from multiple fronts has meant that the Kurds have been forced to demonstrate and secure the future of their culture through other mediums. Most notably are song, dress, language and literature, however to suppress their culture and spirit, oppressors sought to ban their dress, use of names and speaking of their language. This started centuries ago, as shown by Xanî's work, where the Kurdish language itself was seen as crude, unrefined and inferior to that of Arabic and Persian.
Therefore, with the lack of acceptance, these mediums have become even stronger than usual for the propagation of their culture.