HU OSA 437-1-12 Recordings of Yezidi Culture of Northern Iraq: Healing Prayers

Identity Statement

Reference Code
HU OSA 437-1-12
Title
Recordings of Yezidi Culture of Northern Iraq: Healing Prayers
Date(s)
2011 - 2017
Description Level
Series
Extent and medium (processed)
9 Digital container, 0.01 linear meters

Context

Name of creator(s)
Sheikh Kerim Khidir
Feqir Heji
Sheikha Kamo Resho Pacho
Tamina Heji Heji
Kamo Hasim Khidir
Eszter Spät
Archival history
Eszter Spät transferred the 9 video recordings in this series to Blinken OSA Archivum in April, 2024.

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)



Scope and Content (Narrative)
Healing prayers, or incantations, constitute a special genre of sacred texts. They are not recited on ritual occasions (holiday or life event rituals), but in order to heal people suffering from various ailments and afflictions or to prevent various calamities. They range from the prayer against the evil eye to the one against ants infecting a house. Many of them are accompanied by certain ritual acts or gestures. Once an integral part of everyday life, they are recited less and less nowadays. Such healing prayers are generally not included in published collections of Yezidi sacred texts.


Accruals

Not Expected

Conditions of Access and Use

Languages
Kurmanji

Description Control

Archivist's note
Processed by Mark László-Herbert, May 10, 2023.
Call Number Description
Digital container #1
437-1-12:1/1
Dua nezerê – prayer against the evil eye [1 of 4]

This prayer is recited to cure those suspected of having been afflicted by the evil eye.

Kurmanji language, 2011, Duration: 33 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_001-001
Digital container #2
437-1-12:2/1
Dua nezerê – prayer against the evil eye [2 of 4]

Prayer against the evil eye together with explanation on the phenomenon of evil eye and the ritual proceedings to cure it.

Kurmanji language, 2011, Duration: 3 min. 51 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_002-001
Digital container #3
437-1-12:3/1
Dua nezerê – prayer against the evil eye [3 of 4]

The ritual of reciting the prayer against the evil eye over a child suffering from it.

Kurmanji language, 2017, Duration: 27 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_003-001
Digital container #4
437-1-12:4/1
Dua kêma heyvê– prayer against “moon sickness”

This prayer is recited to cure the affliction known as kêma heyvê (lit. smallness of moon) believed to be caused by the moon in a certain phase. It was recited by Feqir Heji, a famous religious expert, at age 94. He suffered from pains in his leg caused by the kêma heyvê and always recited this prayer upon waking up, while holding a berat (a small ball of earth from Lalish) to his forehead. (The first part of the prayer is missing.)

Kurmanji language, 2017, Duration: 59 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_004-001
Digital container #5
437-1-12:5/1
Dua nezerê – prayer against the evil eye [4 of 4]

This prayer is recited to cure those suspected of having been afflicted by the evil eye.

Kurmanji language, 2016,
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_005-001
Digital container #6
437-1-12:6/1
Dua dubişkê – prayer against the scorpion

This prayer is recited if someone is bitten by a scorpion. The sufferer must not drink water for 24 hours to prevent the spread of the poison.

Kurmanji language, 2015, Duration: 22 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_006-001
Digital container #7
437-1-12:7/1
Dua ser êşê – prayer against headache

The prayer is recited against headache.

Kurmanji language, 2015, Duration: 26 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_007-001
Digital container #8
437-1-12:8/1
Dua zik êşê – prayer against stomachache

The prayer is recited against stomachache.

Kurmanji language, 2015, Duration: 24 sec.
Digital container #9
437-1-12:9/1
Dua mîzê – prayer for pee

This prayer is recited if someone is unable to urinate.

Kurmanji language, 2015, Duration: 28 sec.
Digital version available | HU OSA 437-1-12_009-001