Curds

*Population estimates for 1994

The Curds/Kurds (self designation is Curd, Curdmanj) are one of the most ancient peoples of Front Asia. Their ethnic genesis and history are not well studied. They live mostly in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and some other countries. The total number (in 1971) ranged approximately from 7,500,000 to 12,000,000 people.

Most Curd believers are Muslim-Sunnites; however, less of them are Shiites. Some part belongs to Yezud sect, to Ali-Ilakh (Akhle or Khakk), and others.

The unions of Curdish tribes and feudal princedoms, existing in the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, were in nominal dependence on the dynasties, rulings in Iraq and Osman state. The attempts of the ruling circle of these states to deprive the Curds of all their rights and to assimilate them after Osman State had been destroyed were unsuccessful.

In the nineteenth century, in accordance with Hulistan Peace Treaty of 1813, Turkmanshay treaty of 1828, and Berlin Congress of 1978, some part of the Curds took Russian citizenship. In CIS, they live mostly in Transcaucasian region, middle Asia, and Kazakhstan (153,000 census of 1971).

They speak Curdish and publish different literature in this language. They publish a newspaper “Ria Taza” and broadcast some programs in Armenia.

Today, men’s costumes do not differ at all from the ones they wear in the cities of Turkmenia. In the past, men’s clothing consisted of a long shirt and narrow trousers. They put on a gown and long belts with long girdles of cloth or goatdown over the shirts. When working, the Curds tied their heads with large square kerchiefs. Middle-aged men put on felt or cloth caps when leaving the house. Women preserve their national clothing in villages and partly in cities up until recently. The national women’s clothing consisted of a shirt, wide trousers, a skirt, a short blouse and a small cap (which they put on a shawl), different shawls, socks, stockings, and footwear.

The Curds are very fond of their folk proverbs, fairy tales, legends, and songs. A great part of the Curds celebrate Islam holidays: such as Kurbanlyk, Uraza, etc. They also celebrate a Spring holiday called “Navruz” everywhere.