The Kurds : a concise handbook

First Published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Maps List of Tables List of Figures Preface Notes on Sources, Spelling and Other Observations Acknowledgments Chapter 1: GEOGRAPHY Boundaries & Political Geography Plotting the Geographical Distribution of Kurds Internal Subdivisions Chapter 2: LAND & ENVIRONMENT Terrain Geology Climate & Rainfall Environment & Ecology Flora & Fauna Chapter 3: HISTORY Prehistory & Early Technological Development: 10,000-3000 BC Agricultural Technology and the Spread of the Indo-European Language Historical Periods Ancient: 3000-400 BC Classical: 5th Century BC to 6th Century AD Medieval: 6th to 16th Century AD Early Modern: 1497-1918 Modern: 1919-1959 Recent: 1960-Present Chapter 4: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY Physical Anthropology Tribes Historical Migrations Emigrations & Diaspora Deportations & Forced Resettlements Integration & Assimilation Demography Future Trends Urbanization & Urban Centers Ethnic Minorities in Kurdistan Chapter 5: RELIGION Overview Islam Cult of Angels Yarsanism Alevism Yezidism Sufi Mystic Orders Judaism Christianity Babism & Baha’ism Chapter 6: LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, & PRESS Language Kurmanji Pahlawani Laki Literature Education Press & Electronic Mass Media Chapter 7: SOCIETY National Identity National Character The Pahlawan The Mountains The Jash Social Organization Status of Women & Family Life Chapter 8: POLITICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES Nation-States and Kurdish Nationalism Geopolitics Political Culture & Leadership Current Political Elite Regionalism Political Parties Iran Iraq Turkey Syria Chapter 9: ECONOMY Natural Resources Oil Other Minerals Water Agriculture Nomadic Economy: A Postscript Industries Trade Employment Chapter 10: CULTURE AND ARTS Popular Culture Folklore & Folk Tales Festivals, Ceremonies, & Calendar Dance Theater & Motion Pictures Decorative Designs & Motifs Rugs & Fabrics Costumes & Jewelry Sculpture & Painting Architecture & Urban Planing Music First Published in 1993. Since before the dawn of recorded history the mountainous lands of the northern Middle East have been home to a distinct people whose cultural tradition is one of the most authentic and original in the world. Some vestiges of Kurdish life and culture can actually be traced back to burial rituals practiced over 50,000 years ago by people inhabiting the Shanidar Caves near Arbil in central Kurdistan. In this book, the author has tried to identify and delineate the heritage of the Kurds, now thoroughly submerged in the accepted and standard models for subdividing Middle Eastern civilization, none of which is designed to accommodate the stateless Kurds. This work is intended as a quick reference to the Kurds. Drawing upon ancient and modern source material, the author covers the history, ethnography, geography, culture and politics of the Kurds. Mehrdad R. Izady. Includes Bibliographical References.