Kurdish Culture and Identity

by Christine Allison (Editor)

The more than 20 million Kurds in the Middle East are the largest nation in the world without their own independent state. Their struggles for international recognition may ultimately depend on their ability to convince the world that they have their own valid and mature identity. This survey of Kurdish culture describes the differences that exist in a community that is spread across four countries in the region - Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria - and recognizes that Kurdish culture is changing. Successive chapters deal with Kurdistan's written literature and oral tradition, the development of book publishing and other modern media, the range of Islamic and other religious beliefs that have shaped Kurdish identity, and Kurdish material culture including costumes, carpets and the everyday objects of village life.

Genres: History

184 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 1996

Reviews

[Sam Berner]

Interesting stuff written in a very boring way, except for maybe two chapters. But still something to read if you are doing research on Kurdish culture. There is such a dearth of well-written and accessible academic books on this topic in English. I welcome suggesstions.