SILÎVA EL İBRAHİM

Manbij- Circassians have rich dances, music, and colorful culture. They have lived in many parts of the world. Most of them were exiled to many countries such as Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan during the Circassian genocide in the aftermath of the Russo-Circassian War. On May 21, they gather around Nart Fire wherever they live to commemorate the Circassian genocide.

Today is the 157th anniversary of the exile for them. Zahide İshaq, the co-chair of the Circassians’ Aid Association, told us about the Circassians living in Syria and the exile they had faced.

“150 Circassian families came to Manbij before the civil war in Syria. We were separated in 2011 when the civil war broke out. Circassians have separated during every war. The Circassians have faced many massacres, the most serious, terrifying, and known one was 157 years ago. The Circassians living in NE Syria come together under the umbrella of the Circassians’ Aid Association founded on August 14, 2017, to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Circassian genocide. We want our children to not forget, commemorate and remember this tragedy. We want our children to know their history. On this day, the Circassians living on the coast of the Black Sea throw roses to the sea, and we never eat fish because the fishes ate our ancestors.” 

“We always miss our homeland”

Zahide İshaq told us that Circassians have lived in many different cities of Syria and that she has relatives living in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.

“We lost our honorable homeland and we haven’t been able to practice our culture in time. The Circassians have been prevented from building their joys. Our music is unjoyful. Our faces never smile. Wherever we go, we learn their languages, we adapt there but we always miss our homeland.”

“We are free”

Zahide İshaq says they didn’t speak their language and practice their culture under the Syrian regime but the number of cultural spaces has increased after the foundation of the Autonomous Administration of NE Syria. “We can live our culture thanks to the democratic nation and collective life project. We can express our identity more comfortably. We are now free to introduce ourselves as Circassians. Our history is full of massacres. All people should protect their own culture with the democratic nation perspective to not face more massacres.”