Strategies and Necessities of Compiling Oral History in Tribes and Clans of Kurmanj

Gholamreza Azarikhakestar
Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

2015-8-10

Introduction

Khorasan’s Kurds are one of the largest tribes of Chamshgazak who first migrated to the Varamin region in the Safavid era and then gradually to the border strip of North Khorasan. (1) Some of the heads of these people were of military officers during the Safavid and Afsharieh and Qajar era who had a major role in the history and development of Khorasan.

Immigration date of these tribes is not clear. The most important factor in this regard is the lack of cohesion in resources and distribution of documents. In general, due to special situation of Khorasan Kurds, they did not care to administrative organization; and the formulation of their history is difficult, especially with scattered reports of the Safavid era. After coming of orientalists (2) to Iran, a number of tourists have crossed from North Khorasan. In their written, they have written briefly how Kurmanjis came to Khorasan, which is based on local information and they obtained them from rulers or informed people.

Stakhri, Ibn Hawqal, clavijo and even Tārīkh-e Bayhaqī mentioned that the Kurds were in Khorasan before Safavid era. It seems that their purpose of Kurd had been tribes and nomadic people who have been involved in animal husbandry. Generally, migration of tribes and clans began by the time of Turkish domination in Iran and increased until Mongol period and then during the Timurid, Safavid and Afsharieh era. This means that the kings of these dynasty ordered tribal groups migrated from one point to another in order to preserve boundaries of country; as some inhabitants of Sham, who have known later as a Shamlou tribe, migrated to Khorasan by order of Amirteymour.

The establishment of the Safavid government and religious policies, which is applied by the kings of this dynasty, led to some changes in the structure of society. At this time, as a state far from the center, Khorasan was witnessed of major events that central government had been involved. Uzbek’s invasions to Khorasan areas forced Safavid government to paid attention to Khorasan. So, the first step was to strengthen the borders of Khorasan.

At Safavid era, the borders of Khorasan were always attacked and invaded by Uzbeks. The scope of these invasions had been extended even to the Iran's central area. Uzbeks were a group of Mongol’s survivors who caught the Transoxiana’s dynasty around the year 904 (lunar), and established a government there. They knew themselves as descendants of one of Jogi’s son, Genghis’ son. Shayabak Khan, contemporary to Safavid, was their king. Hostility between Shah Ismail Safavi and Shayabak Khan was because of perpetual Uzbek’s encroaching on Khorasan. After occupying of Khorasan in 913 (lunar) / 1507 AD, Shayabak Khan thought of plundering other areas in Iran, so he attacked to Kerman and after major fighting, the Safavid army triumphed. In another fighting between Safavid and Uzbeks in 916 (lunar)/ 1510, which is well-known as Marv war, after overcoming of Shah Ismail on Uzbeks, he captured part of Khorasan, which was in the hands of Uzbeks for long time, with the help of Afshars. Then he killed Shayabak Khan and the city of Herat became the second city and the residence of monarchy's immediate successor. Uzbek’s invasions to Khorasan were detailed in Aalam Aray Abbasi book. The transfer of tribes to Khorasan dated back to the period of Shah Ismail Safavi. About the year 916 (lunar)/1510, when he conducted a military campaign to Khorasan, transferred a group of Kurds to Khorasan; and some of them were transferred during Shah Tahmasb period.

Uzbek’s invasion to Khorasan continued in Shah Abbas period. He came to power when the Ottoman Empire from the West and the Uzbeks from East had invaded the country. The struggle for power in the country was caught by Ghezelbash army leaders. So, Shah Abbas decided to peace with the Ottomans and even give them a part of Azerbaijan and Tabriz and western areas; and begun to expelled Uzbeks and put internal situation in order. From the East, Uzbeks had occupied Mashhad several times and invaded most cities of Khorasan. After freedom from internal situations and putting down the leaders of Ghezelbash, Shah Abbas just paid attention to the East and over a couple of years, he succeed to expel Uzbeks. He decided to transfer a group of Kurds to Khorasan and deployed them at the border. However, before the Shah Abbas, Shah Ismail also settled a group of tribes to Khorasan, especially to Dargaz in the same action. It seems that the transition of tribes to Khorasan has been a gradual process; and after Kurd immigrants came to the Ghouchan area and Bojnoord, they dispersed them by overcoming on Garaeeli tribes.

As noted before, the major factor of Kurds tribes’ transition to Khorasan had been the issue of defending of borders and strengthening the borders of Khorasan. Movement of Kurds people to the border area of North Khorasan allowed them to reside in Hezar Masjed mountain areas according to the type of their living. At the first stage Shah Ismail protected the borders of Khorasan and Shah Abbas followed his policy. In Kurd’s immigration to Khorasan, different statistics were presented about how many of households were involved; the most common statistics is forty thousand households.

History of Kurmanj Historiography

Given that this population group has a significant role in the historical development, are there sufficient writings? Local historiographies of Kurmanj have written in what perspective? One glance at the written works in relation to the history, literature and culture of the people Kurmanj, published books can be divided into four categories.

1. Look within

A. Kurdish-language writers. Most writers were of Kurmanj tribes and clans, so they wrote the history biased; and they began to historiography based on old and common methods. In this context, Kalimolah Tavahodi (3) had been a pioneer. Other authors were Shadrouz Amani (4), Hashem Sadeghi Bajgiran (5). In these published works, sometimes it has been cited to the documents and written resources and oral evidence.

B: Other authors: based on research interests, some authors have embarked to study tribes and clans of Kurmanj and North Khorasan; some of which are: Mohammad Jabani (6), Ramazan Ali Shakeri (7), Syed Ali Mirniya (8), Siavash fatehi (9), Abolfazl Ghasemi (10), Abdullah Taherzadeh (11) and ...

2. Few writers have tried to provide academic books by gathering documents and compiling books. Mohammad Ismail Moqimi (12), Haji Mohammad Taqdisi (13) and papers have been published in the publications by the students.

3. Books that are collected and written on the basis of orals. In recent years, authors such as Nowruz Ali Nowruzi (14), Ahmad Azodi (15), Morteza Ghanbari, Hashem Farhadi (16), etc. have been pioneers in this field.

4. Ethnographies that have been carried out only sporadically and sometimes in university centers. The brief record about nomadic of North Khorasan, written by Dr. Mohammad Hossein Yazdi Papoly (17) and thesis that have written in academic centers are examples of ethnographic in relation to Khorasan Kurmanj. Historical sources, local documents and field studies are used in some written works, but most of books have been formulated based on narrative and orals.

The strengths of this book are: Most books written in Persian, so this makes many researchers use these resources. However, lack of using Kurmanji written script causes the Kurmanji language threatened or be forgotten.

Documentation

Have historical documents of these people collected and organized? Dispersion of documents related to this population group is one of the most important problems of local researchers to develop a comprehensive history of Khorasan Kurmanj. These documents are often kept in important families and due to the lack of documentation centers in the region are under threat of extinction. If cultural centers, such as cultural heritage organization, have embarked to collect the documents, it had been for the purpose of exhibition and researchers’ access to them is difficult. Identifying of documentaries collections in connection with Khorasan Kurmanj and devoting a documentation center can be an important measure for the preservation of documents and written. So far, some of the documents related to Kurmanj have been published in some books. Some of these documents are kept at document centers such as, Archival Documents of the National Library, Documentation Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Library, Documentation Center of Astan Quds Razavi, and Documents center of State Department. Reports of British and Russia consulate have significant information in this field.

While Kurmanj tribes and clans of North Khorasan have settled in the region, they have been also busied doing animal husbandry and agriculture, and the outcome of their immigration had been union and protection of borders as well as fighting with aggressors, including Uzbeks. As a scientific way to record the oral history and literature of this nation, Oral history is a necessity to be addressed.

Oral History

Oral history is a scientific way to record history, culture and literature of Khorasan Kurmanj. As the largest oral history center in the East of the country, Document management of Astan Quds Razavi has done valuable efforts in this field. Compiling of Kalat (18) and Ghouchan (19) oral history is of done projects in this center. Kalat oral history is one of the important issues has addressed in 1385 by oral history archive. Taking advantage of the elder’s memories of this region led to collect, archive and publish part of old families’ documents. The importance of Kalat Nader due to the existence of various ethnic groups, led to witness significant customs in the region. Recording of Kalat elder’s memories allowed preserving and archiving of historical events and culture of the area.

Oral history project of Ghouchan also has interviewed with the family of an effective and important figures of Ghouchan in the field of historical, cultural and social. Some of the topics of interest in oral history archives are:

Documentation of important issues such as, Kurdish rulers and tribal chiefs; the local rebels; wedding and mourning ceremonies; local games; Mugham music and the philosophy of playing each songs; Kurmanji athletics, including Chookhe wrestle; tribes and clans of region; customs; security; events; festivals; health status; vegetation and nature; nomadic; animal husbandry and agriculture; Kurmanj poem and poets; monuments; land reforms; the old schools and teachers; the Islamic Revolution; Sacred defense; Martyrs of Kurmanj and ...

What is the necessity of recording oral history of Kurmanj tribes and clans as archival sources? According to the high capacity and geographical distribution of Kurmanj people, it is recommended that this will be done wider to maintain orals. Establish a center for archive of local documents and conducting oral history in North Khorasan may be necessary to publish or archive important products in the field of Kurmanji history and literature.

1. Kurmanj people in this article refers to the population residing in North Khorasan. This population group combined of different tribes and clans who live in the cities, such as, Dargaz, Quchan, Shirvan, Bojnord, Esfaraen. As historical sources reported, they entered to Khorasan in the Safavid era.
2. For more information see: Sykes, Sir Percy; Iran history, translated by Mohammad Taqi Fakhredaee Gilani; vol. 2 (Tehran, Zavar, 1335); Curzon, Lord; Iran and the question of Iran, translated by Vahid Mazandaran, vol. 1 (Tehran, translation and publishing book, 1349 ), Yyt; Khorasan and Sistan Travelogue, written by Qodratollah Roshani Zafaranlou and Mehrdad Rahbar (Tehran, Yazdan, 1365), Moser, Henri; Turkistan and Iran Travelogue; Mohammad Golbon (Tehran, Sahar, 2536) and…
3. Kalimolah Tavahodi (Kanimal) writer and researcher. In the spring of 1359 his first book entitled, historic movement of Kurds to Khorasan for defending the Iran independence, was published. The book is published in 6 volumes.
4. Amani, Shadrouz; Border guards of North Khorasan; Mashhad; Vasee; 1382
5. Border guards of Kismar slope (narrative of Northern Khorasan Kurds) was published in 1388 by Vasee: Damineh.
6. Jabani, Mohammad; Land and people of Ghouchan; Mashhad; Atlas, 1363.
7. Shakeri, Ramazan Ali; Atrak-nameh of Ghouchan comprehensive history; Tehran; Amir Kabir; 1365.
8. Seyed Ali Mirniya has published more than 20 books on history, tribes and clans of Khorasan.
9. Kurmanj Nomadicm; written by Siyavash Fatehi was published in 2 volume in 1389 by Qian Nashr.
10. Ghasemi, Abolfazl; Khavaran, the unknown gem, including history and geography of Dargaz and Kalat; Tehran; 1349.
11. Taherzadeh, Abdullah; Kurdish tribes in northern Khorasan; Tehran; Khalilian. 1383.
12. Moqimi, Mohammad Ismail; Shirvan historical geography; Mashhad; Cultural Department of Astan Quds Razavi; 1370.
13. Taqdisi, Mohammad; Rashidkhan, commander of Quchan: historical narrative of the life and the rule of Amir Hosseinkhan Shojaaldoleh, Ghouchan ruler; Mashhad; Hamsayeh Aftab, 1390.
14. Nowruzi, Nowruz Ali; Seven Mugham of dutar; Bojnoord; Azodi; 1389.
15. Azodi, Ahmed; Stories and memories of Chookhe heroes; 1391.
16. Other books of this author are: war commander and commander Khado’s music; heroes (Commander Eyvazkhan Jalali); and Farajollah Khan Bichranlou.
17. The book has been published in 1363 by Ferdowsi University Press, Faculty of Literature and Humanities.
18. A number of people have been interviewed so far are: Mohammad Qodrati, Qolam Ali Sobhani, Abbas Ali Qodrati, the late Haj Foulad Tavasoli, Moharam Ganjbakhsh, the late Abbaskhan Jalayer, Baratali Ghanbari, Ali Jalayer layn, the late Yadu'llah Shiravi, Asis Sheykhkanlou, the late Haj Zulfaqar Jalayer, Einollah Shiravi, the late Nader Alami, Gholam Hossein Javadian, Haji Askar Dana, and ...
19. Since 1391 Oral History Project of Quchan is conducting by Mitra Nejati in the Oral History department of Documentation Center of Astan Quds Razavi. Some of the people who are interviewed, are as follows: Mohammad Jabani, Abasgholi Javanbakht, Jalal Jalali, Alireza Jannati, Mohammad Jowkar Ghouchani, Hassan Chamani, Ali Akbar Bolourian, Habib Rahmani, Hassan Abu Torabi, Ali Eqbali, Mohammad Reza Bolourian, Khosrow Bahrami, Hassan Bani-Hashemi, Mohammad Hossein Sabet Ghouchani, Ahmed Pahlavan, Shokrollah Tahmooresi, Fatemeh Ismaili, Ismail Beiglari, and ...