The Yezidi Kurds' tribes & clans of south Caucasus.

Yezidi Kurds have been in
the southern Caucasus under Russia
for some 150 years now. The majority fled Ottoman oppression and discrimination
in 1916-1918 to settle in Armenia
and Georgia.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, they have been leaving Georgia and Armenia
to settle in Russia, Europe and elsewhere.

All of those in Georgia and Armenia
have come from the two provinces of Wan and Qers [Van & Kars in official
maps] in Turkey.
Some reached the Russian Empire much earlier and some later. But all came to Russia and
threw themselves on the mercy of the Czar for protection. Helplessness and
poverty were everywhere.

South Caucasus Yezidis are
divided into two main groups: the Zuquri Yezidis from the province of Wan and
the Axbaran Yezidis from the province
of Qers.

Yezidi communities in Armenia and Georgia are divided into many
tribes and clans: the tribes of Zuquriyan, Sipkan, Xaltan, Mehemdan,
Rojkan-Rojkani, Hesiniyan and the clan of Axleran.

Each tribe is further
divided into clans and separate households. There are many tribes and clans,
some small and some large, some powerful and some less so.

The Zuquri Yezidis say they
packed up their belongings in the province
of Wan (in Turkey)
and settled down on the lands of Armenia
and Georgia.
The Yezidi Zuquris are also known as the tribe of "Cangir-axaye
Mendiki." The Zuquri tribe lived on the land surrounding Lake Van and
eastward to the Iranian frontier (the town of Sera). Their villages were located high up in
the mountains between the rivers Ava Resh [black water] and Godirme. There were
several Zuquri villages on the Iranian side of the border as well. Within the
Zuquri tribe there were two prominent and highly respected families. One belonged
to Cangir-axa son of Xetibaxaye Mendiki and the other belonged to Simo, son of
Cheto-axaye Reshi. In reality, Simo, son of Cheto's household, was a big man,
but Cangir-axa was a brave-hearted, resourceful gentleman. He was well informed
and sociable. Thanks to his leadership and guidance, the Yezidis freed
themselves from Ottoman discrimination and oppression. Cangir-axaye Mendiki was
quite a warrior. What a shame though! He was betrayed. Yezidi musicians have
composed many pieces praising his courage.

Yezidis from Qers and
Axbaran (a township in Armenia
around Mt Elegez) lived in villages around the cities of Qers, Bazid and
Surmeli, among the villages of other Kurds and Armenians. Among the Yezidis
from Qers, the households of Kok-axa (Choban-axa) and Hesen-beg of the Hesinian
tribe were well known.

In this book, as far as we
know, we bring to public view the names of tribes and clans and the villages
from which they originate. Over time the uninformed among us are forgetting
their ancestral homeland in Kurdistan and
feelings of patriotism are abating as well. There have been many frustrations
and difficulties over the course of collecting and documenting the names of
tribes and clans. But, thanks to the Almighty, we managed the task and produced
this book. Of course, there are deficiencies. Perfection is not possible. A
good deal of time has passed. Our people, our elders have gone to their maker.
They were unable to conduct a proper scientific study of Yezidi tribes and
clans.

We believe this to be the first
attempt to describe and publish the Yezidi Kurds' tribes and clans in south
Caucasus (from Wan and Qers) and in Germany
(those who left Turkey).
Owing to lack of opportunities, the Kurdish section of this book has been
written only briefly, but the Russian language section contains far wider
research and commentary. [The Russian section has been translated to English;
see PREFACE]

PREFACE

Yezidis are a part of
40-million-strong nation, which has endured many, many years of persecution and
massacres and yet has managed to keep our own religious beliefs, Yezidism, to
this day. Kurds are one of the Aryan nations. On Kurdish land, the rich Aryan
civilization was born and later embraced by other nations all over the world.
Historically, when there were wars and massacres, many nations lost their
traditions and heritage. However, the Kurds were so strong that they were able
to keep their national culture, language, religion and traditions.

Despite the forced
Islamization of most Kurds, the Yezidi Kurds' traditions have existed for
centuries. The whole history of the emergence of the Kurds as followers of the
Yezidi religion is still largely unknown. Yezidi Kurds are not of the same race
as the Turks, Persians and Arabs even though they have lived among them for
hundreds of years. Many Yezidis have blue eyes, blonde hair and fair skin.
Yezidi women are truly beautiful and men are chivalrous. Yezidis are different
from those around them. Their blood is pure. Yezidi Kurds did not allow the
Kurds to be assimilated by others. They have always refused to become a part of
any Muslim nation. They have valiantly fought to keep their identity, their
language, their culture and religious beliefs. No Persian, no Turkish and no
Arab ruler was able to force the Yezidis to forget their Kurdish national
identity and their religious beliefs. This despite the horrible wars,
massacres, oppression and discrimination throughout centuries. The meaning and
the place of Yezidi religion in the history of human civilization and how it has
affected other religions are still being studied. Its foundations are very
interesting from a religious point of view, but it remains for someone to fully
investigate them in order to provide a full account.

Yezidi teachings to the
Kurds were born many, many centuries ago and they were based on Aryan people's
ancient knowledge called Vedi. Up to today, the Yezidis believe in the Sun,
Moon, Morning star and Fire. And they have tried to keep all of the Kurdish
religious traditions practiced by their ancestors. The historic homeland of the
Yezidis is Kurdistan, a huge territory of 500,000 square kilometers bordering Iran, Iraq,
Syria and Turkey. It is
very well known that this part of the world has witnessed many tragedies for
many nations. In the 1920s, a few European countries together with Soviet
Russia decided to divide the Kurds and their homeland.

The Kurds are now scattered
through many European and Asian countries including Russia. The Kurds in Russia belong
to many tribes. This is the result of long and complex historic processes.
Yezidi Kurds have had to leave their area and country many times to preserve
their identity, religion and cultural traditions. They had to migrate to other
countries where they felt they were not being persecuted as much as they were
in Kurdistan. The process of Yezidi migration
was most intensive in the 20th century. This was a tragedy for all Yezidi
Kurds. Unfortunately it is still going on in the 21st century. Today, as during
the reign of the Ottoman Empire, Yezidi Kurds in Turkey,
Syria and Iraq are
compelled to become Muslims through violence and wholesale massacres or to
leave these countries, or move to other regions where Turks and Arabs live in
compact communities.

In Kurdistan, especially in
areas controlled by Turkey
and Iraq,
many, many Yezidi Kurdish villages are empty and lifeless, as the inhabitants
have been forced to flee. Many thousands from Turkey,
Iraq and Syria left Kurdistan in the 1980's and sought
refuge in European countries, particularly in Germany. Today many Yezidi Kurdish
communities exist outside their ancestral homeland, Kurdistan.
They are mainly in Russia, Georgia, Armenia
and Germany.
The earliest community outside Kurdistan was formed in south Caucasus
about 150 years ago. The presence of Kurds in south Caucasus
was known for centuries, especially since the 15th & 16th centuries. The
Kurds established some dynasties and took active parts in government, politics
and cultural practices there. The main group of the Yezidis in the Caucasus,
which was a part of Czarist Russia, that is, Armenia
& Georgia
moved there at the beginning of the 20th century. This was the result of
religious persecution, oppression and genocidal massacres by the Ottoman Empire between 1916-1918. Even before that since
1820's, the Yezidis lived under Russian rule in compact communities in
different parts of Armenia
as a result of many wars between Russia and Ottoman and Persian
Empires.

There were many Yezidis in
the areas of Qers, Bazid and Surmeli in today's Turkey. For many years Qers was
under Russian control and administered by Yerevan.
The Yezidis in the Caucasus today came mainly from Wan, Qers, Surmeli, Bazid
and Erzerum provinces and districts of the Ottoman Empire and some from the
border areas of Iran.

Some Kurdish tribes
migrated from the south to the north of Kurdistan
during 15th, 16th and 17th centuries for different reasons. The life of Yezidi
Kurds during the reign of the Ottoman Empire
was unbearable, especially after the Armenian genocide in 1915, and there was
no one to protect them following the withdrawal of Russian troops from the
areas they had occupied. As a result, the Yezidi Kurds in Turkey had to
face the Muslims with no one to protect them. The Turks demanded the Kurds
forget their religion, their language, culture and history and become fully
assimilated. But persuading Kurds to do that was not easy. As a result, the
Kurds found themselves in a very difficult situation and decided to arm
themselves. They formed a militia and started fighting the Turks. There were
local heroes of the Zukri tribes who made history, such as Cangir-axa and his
son, Xetib-axa Mendiki. The Ottoman army and some Muslim Kurds perpetrated many
atrocities against the Yezidi Kurds who did not want to become Muslims. The army
started killing the Yezidis on a genocidal scale and the survivors were forced
to flee to Armenia and Georgia to save
their lives. Many hundreds of thousands of Yezidis were either killed or sent
into exile during which they perished. The fate of many still remains unknown.

As a result of this
genocide organized by Muslims against the Yezidis, many people from Wan, Qers,
Surmeli, Bazid and Erzerum areas of the Ottoman Empire and the Iranian border
area ended up in Armenia. And they joined the Yezidis who had already been
living there for centuries. Some went to join the Yezidi communities in Georgia. In the
1950's and 1960's some Yezidis moved to Georgia
from Armenia
in search of a better life due to the belief that life was better there. At
first the movement was by single families and then whole tribes moved and
resettled there. That's why the Yezidi tribes in Georgia
are related to the tribes in Armenia
and have the same tribal names. Those Yezidis who moved to Georgia still maintain contacts with their
kinfolks in Armenia and some
of them take their deceased back to Armenia for burial in tribal
cemeteries. The Yezidis in the south Caucasus
constitute the biggest religious minority. In Georgia, the Yezidis live in many
cities, towns and villages. The majority live in the capitol city, Tbilisi. In Armenia, the Yezidis live mostly in villages
around snow-capped Mt.
Elegez joining Ararat
plain. Some also live in Yerevan.
150 years ago in the Axbaran area of Armenia there were already 11
Kurdish villages and all are still there. The Yezidis living in Georgia and Armenia
before the collapse of the Soviet Union
numbered about 250,000. But official statistics, for political reasons, always
tried to minimize their true number. Currently, their number is much smaller
because of migration to Russia.
The Yezidis are moving away from Armenia
and Georgia to all four
corners of the former Soviet Union from Siberia and Kaliningrad
to the Baltic countries of Ukraine,
Belarus and Moldova as well as to Europe, Australia, New
Zealand, Canada
and elsewhere.

Under Communism, Yezidi
Kurds were persecuted in the same way as Muslims. Officially, the Soviet
authorities regarded Yezidis as citizens of Turkey for many years up until the
late 1940's and early 1950's. Even in many passports it was written that they
were the subjects of the Turkish government. Following Stalin's 1937
persecution, Yezidis were offered Russian passports and told that if they
refused they would be deported to Turkey where they would face Muslim
and Turkish persecution. When they refused Russian passports [Russian
identity], many were exiled to Asian republic such as Kazakhstan.

Nevertheless, with the
support of the governments of Georgia
and Armenia,
the Yezidis recorded developments in politics, education, culture and their
social situation. Kurdish communities were able to establish contacts with
other nations and with other parts of the Soviet Union.
In south Caucasus, they were able to establish
and maintain many cultural and educational institutions: folklore, theatres,
publication of Kurdish books, magazines and newspapers, and radio broadcasting
in the Kurdish language. They did a good job of keeping alive and developing
Kurdish cultural heritage, language and identity.

Unfortunately, after the
collapse of the Soviet Union the government of Armenia
and Georgia
withdrew their support for these activities and the Kurds became isolated and
found it very difficult to keep their identity. The Yezidis who had migrated to
Georgia and Armenia
believed that they could preserve their centuries old religious beliefs, but
unfortunately they were not able to build houses of worship for many reasons.
Had they succeeded in building houses of worship and had they studied their
religion, they would have better understood themselves, their heritage and
cultural practices. The Yezidi Kurds are now compelled to leave south Caucasus because of the lack of support for their
institutions and the difficulties of keeping their religious and cultural
traditions. But the Yezidis of Georgia and Armenia can be truly proud of their
preservation of their heritage, lineage and tribal names.

YEZIDI KURDS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

There are tens, if not
hundreds, of Yezidi Kurds' tribes and clans in Georgia
and Armenia.
Until recent times each maintained its own traditions and cultural practices.
Today, these tribes and clans exist, but no longer in their traditional form.
The structure of the tribes and clans is kept alive only to maintain ethnic
ties, culture and a way of life. Not all were able to keep their social and
political traditions. Tribal ties among the Yezidis in south Caucasus and Russia are
weakening. As a result, their tribal and clan culture is being slowly
destroyed.

Political, social and
economic changes taking place in Armenia
and Georgia
are also contributing to the destruction of Yezidi tribal and clan culture.
Nevertheless, even today they maintain strong feelings of solidarity with their
tribes and clans and are trying to preserve them. According to Yezidi religious
teachings, relationships are not defined by blood ties alone. They may also be
defined by belief in the same deity and by the symbols of tribes and clans.
There is a Yezidi saying, "Believing in the same God unites people,"
meaning that people of different blood can be thus united by their beliefs.
Every Kurd is proud of his tribe and dynasty.

The development of Yezidi
tribes and their names is an interesting historical topic and whoever decides
to study them must investigate centuries of history in Asia and the Caucasus to determine their roots. Study of existing
materials suggests that the tribal names have not changed over the centuries.
They are still used today. Unfortunately, there have been no scientific studies
to explain how and when the names came into being. Yezidi Kurds tribes have
played significant roles in the history of the Middle East,
tribes such as the Mendiki, Anqosi, Maseki and many others.

In his book, The Kurds, the
famous Russian Kurdologist Nikitine recorded the following names. Xalidi, an
ancient name, is currently Xaliti, and sometimes called Xaltani. Names such as
Rojki, Shemsiki, Howeidi, Sherqi, Beravi and others suggest that the Yezidi
Kurds are an ancient people. We see the influence of these ancient names on
present day names of Yezidi Kurds' tribes and clans. They play an important
part in the study of the genesis of the Kurds and can also play a significant
role in the study of the history of the Kurds and Kurdistan.
From these names it may be possible to ascertain the nature of connections
between the Kurds and the other nations in the region. It is possible that some
Yezidi Kurds tribes and clans migrated north and others remained in the same
place. This may be easily traced by the name of the tribes and dynasties. In
the names of the Yezidi tribes it is possible to see the history of the Kurdish
nation, which goes back to antiquity. Every Kurdish tribe and clan has its own
history. The life of every tribe and clan is filled with heroism in defense of
religion, identity and homeland. The history of every tribe and clan is full of
persecution, struggles and wars.

There are many proofs not
only in writing but also in very rich Kurdish folklore. Until now, the Yezidi
Kurds proudly sing the heroism of Derweshe Evdi, Sheikh Mirzaye Anqosi,
Cangir-axaye Mendiki, Mirzaye Dasini, Ms Shirin Anqosi, Sheikh Michoye Anqosi,
Ms Zerif Xatuna Kok-axa Axleri and many others. Many tribes have contributed to
the struggle to preserve their identity and freedom, the Anqosi, Dasani, Zukri,
Xasemi and others.

In the history of the
tribes and clans there has been a never-ending story of uniting and breaking
up. Yezidi communities are divided into many big and small tribes, clans and
families. There are many examples where small tribes and clans have become a
part of larger tribes and clans for protection and kept their identity. Because
of many groupings and sub-groupings in Yezidi communities, it may sometime be
difficult to separate the newcomers from the old timers. There are also some
core families in many tribes clans around which others gather and establish
ties.

The Yezidis in south Caucasus speak the northern dialect of Kurdish language
called Kurmanji. In their language, clans are called "Qebil" and
"Berek." They also use the word "Mal," which means house or
household. "Mal's" tend to make up the core of "Berek" and
"Berek's" tend to be the core of "Qebil". They also use the
word "el" made up of tribes and clans, like a federation. For
example, the "el" of Zukrian is like a federation of the Zukri tribes
and clans. Similarly, the "el" of the Sipkans means the federation or
union of all Sipkan tribes and clans.

The Yezidi Kurds in Armenia, but not in Georgia, also use the word
"eshir" to refer to a tribe. The word is almost nonexistent in Georgia. It is
often used by Kurds in Turkey,
Iraq and Syria [eshir is
the Arabic word for tribe].

There are some sayings
among the Yezidi Kurds regarding these terms; for example "El is people's
mother or like a mother to people." or "Eshir is the father of eshir,"
[perhaps akin to, like father like son].

The Yezidi Kurds in Georgia and Armenia
can be divided into two main groups: The Zuquri Yezidis from the province of Wan
and the Yezidis from the province
of Qers and Axbaran.
Among the Yezidi communities of Armenia
and Georgia
there are big tribes and unions of tribes such as the "el" of the
Zuquriyan, of Sipkan, of Mehemdan, of Rojkan and of Hesiniyan.

NAMES OF YEZIDI KURDS'
TRIBES AND CLANS AND THEIR PLACES OF ORIGIN IN TURKEY

1. Axleri: Said to be
Yezidis from the household of Kok-axa. They are from the house of Evdal-axaye
Deshti, from the house of Mir Choban. They had 366 villages. They lived in Ebex
then moved to Entab. The descendants of Kok-axa are called Axleri. They are
related to the Mehemediya tribe. It is said that they are originally from
Mamresh. Among the Axleris there are also Torina mentioned below.

2. Aloqi--Aroqi: Related to
the Rojkan tribe mentioned below.

3. Alomeri: Related to the
Rojkan tribe mentioned below. They remained in the province of Qers.

4. Anqosi: From Bisheriye
plain--"The Anqosi Country"--between the cities of Diyarbekir--Cizira
Botan [both in north Kurdistan] and Shengal [in south Kurdistan]
It was a big and powerful tribe. During the uprising in the 1830's under the
leadership of Sheikh Mirzaye Anqosi over Ms Shirin Anqosi against the governor
of Diyarbekir, Reshid Pasha, 500 Anqosi villages were evacuated and the tribe
was dispersed. Some Anqosis moved to Qers and settled in the villages of
Tendurek and Seriblaxe; a little later they packed up and moved to the district
of Axbarane in Armenia.
They are called "The Anqosis from Axbaran." A larger group of the
Anqosis remained in the Bisheriye plain and in Sert [Siirt in official
maps-Translator]. 20-30 years ago they all moved and settled in Germany. Only
the converts--or the assimilated--Anqosis remain in Turkey. The author of this book,
Kereme Anqosi, is from the single Anqosi household among the Mendesoran clan of
the Zuquriyan tribe in the Seyidibege village in the province of Wan.
This household is originally from the house of Hamid--axa of the Anqosis in the
village of Kochika Gumerte in the Bisheriye plain.
The second household of the Anqosis was in the village of Haceliye
(Wan). For this reason, an Anqosi clan in the south Caucasus is divided into
two groups: The Anqosis of Axbarane (province
of Qers) and the Anqosis of the
Zuquris (province of Wan) (for further information see the Anqosis in Germany below).

5. Eslani: They lived in
the district of Surmeliye, province
of Qers.

6. Beyinduri: They lived in
the villages of Sineke, Ebexe, Zore, Tendurek, Sariblax, [and] Asar in the province of Qers. They are divided into Sefoya,
Miridiya, Mirzoya, Childergushi [and] Avashi. Among the Beyinduris there are
also Torina--see below.

7. Belekeri: They are
grouped into two: The Belekeris of the Zuquri and the Belekeris of Qers. They
lived in the villages of Shemsedin, Chibuxliye, Xoceqishlaxe in the province of Wan. In the province of Qers
they lived in the villages of Zore, [and] in the district of Bazide in the
villages of Kundo, Tutek, [and] Diyadin.

8. Beli: They lived in
Ebexe, province
of Qers. Divided into
Ozoyi, Beshoyi, Alxoyi, Nexoyi

9. Benoki: They lived in
the province of Qers.

10. Beravi (Baravi):
Divided into two groups: The Beravis of the Zuquris and the Beravis from Qers.
In the province
of Wan they lived in the
villages of Kanisarke, Dercemeda Jorin, Dercemeda Jerin [and] Nanpareze. In the
province of Qers they lived in the villages of
Kosa-Sogutli. The Beravis are divided into the clans of Shami, Pirpiriki, [and]
Chilxenceri. According to some, the Beravis originally lived around the Persian Gulf and later moved north to settle in the
provinces of Qers and Wan.

11. Bashsiz: Lived in the province of Qers. Towards the end of the 19th
century they settled in the north western foothills of Mt Elegeze.

12. Bezik: Lived in the province of Qers. They came from Iran.

13. Buvki: Related to the
Heseniyan tribe--(see below.)

14. Budi: Related to the
Heseniyan tribe--(see below). Lived in the Sineke village in the province of Qers.

15. Butki (Budki): Divided
into two groups: the Butkis of the Zuquri and the Butkis from Qers. In the province of Wan
they lived in the village
of Hecaliye. In the province of Qers
they lived in the village
of Sineke. The Butkis are
Mehemdins from the Mehemdine plain near Lake Van.

16. Bufki: Related to the
Heseniyan tribe (see below). They lived in the Sineke village in the province of Qers

17. Cilki: ?

18. Childergushi: Related
to the Beyinduri tribe (see above)

19. Chilxenceri: Related to
the Shami tribe (see elsewhere). Among them, there is the clan of Eliavdeli.

20. Chili: Related to the
Sipkan (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of Duzgechi [and] Qizilqule
in the province
of Qers.

21. Chuxreshi (Choxreshi,
Choreshi): Divided into two groups: The Chuxreshis of the Zuquris and the
Chuxreshis of Qers. In the province
of Wan, they lived in the
villages of Muche [and] Becermau. In the province of Qers,
they lived in the villages of Tashnike Tendureke, Remequli [and] townships of
Surmeliye [and] Bazide.

22. Dasini: A clan with a
reputation and a long history. The majority remains in south Kurdistan (Iraq). The
Dasinis in Armenia
are divided into two groups. The Dasinis of the Zuquri and the Dasinis of Qers.
In the province of Wan, they lived in the village of Gihadine.
In the province
of Qers, they lived in
the villages of Qizilce [and] Kundo. They say the Dasinis and the Dodkan are
connected.

23. Daudi [Davidian]: They
come from Xezaliye in the province
of Entabe. From the village of Tembate
in Alashkerte they moved to the village
of Tendureke. Daudi,
Mirangi, Mendesori, Geluti [and] Yeknavi are connected.

24. Divin: Divided into two
groups. The Divinis of the Zuquri and the Divinis of Qers. In the province of Wan
they lived in the village
of Kanisarke. The Divinis
of Qers lived among the Sipkan tribe.

25. Dodki: Originally, they
lived in Shengale in south Kurdistan and
Entab. Later they migrated and came to the province of Qers.
Their village was Sineke. They are divided into Shetroyan, Shekoyan, Xidoyan,
Gerdenzeran, Dirboyan, Maroyan, Kochoyan, Mistoyan, Sheveshan [and] Xetivan

26. Gabeleki: Related to
the Rojkan tribe. (see elsewhere)

27. Galiki: ?

28. Gelduri: They are the
Zuquris. They lived in the province
of Wan.

29. Geluti: They lived in
the province of Qers. Gelutiyan, Yeknavan, Mirangan,
Daudiyan, Mendesoran are connected.

30. Gerdenzeri: Related to
Pivazan (see elsewhere). They lived in the province of Qers.
Divided into Kasoyan, Poxan [and] Gencan.

31. Geloyi: They lived in
the province of Qers, in the foothill of Mt Ararat.

32. Gukasi: Related to
Pivazan. Divided into Dirboyan, Eceman [and] Bekoyan.

33. Hebuki (Hevuki):
Related to the Rojkan tribe (see elsewhere). Lived in the province of Qers.

34. Hesini: They are called
the "Usib-beg tribe". In the province of Qers,
they lived in the villages of Sineke, Tendureke [and] Eslaniye (Eslanlu). Their
leader was Hesen-axa of the house of Usib-bege. Divided into Mamudoki, Muski,
Udi, Bufki, Budi, Buvki [and] Koxoyi.

35. Heweri: They lived in
Entabe in the province
of Qers. They are the
Mehemdis.

36. Isadizi: Related to the
Sipkan (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of Enguk, Kosa-Sogutli,
Baceli [and] Susiz.

37. Keloshki: Related to
the Rojkan tribe (see elsewhere).

38. Kendali: They are from
the Pivazan tribe. A group of the Kendals see themselves distinct [from
Pivazan] and say they are related to the Mamreshan. In the province of Qers
they lived in the villages of Sineke, Zore, Ebexe [and] Elashkerte.

39. Keri: Related to a clan
of the Beleker of the Zuquris. They are from the province of Wan.

40. Korkiti: They are
Zuquris. They lived in the villages of Welican, Chibuxli, Haceliye [and]
Shivekar. A group of the Korkitis lived in Iran. A few Korkitiyan households
lived in the villages of Dize, Quzurqule near the city of Bazide (Qers). There are the Korkitis of
Zuquri and Korkiti of Qers. They are divided into Mamxashi, Heyidoyi, Gedoyi,
Etoyi [and] Mevroni.

41. Korkoti: They lived in
the village of Qubik on the plain of Ebexe (Qers). For
a long time, they lived among a clan of the Belas (see elsewhere). Hence, they
are called Beli. They then divided into clans Sheme Emo, Sheme Silo, House of
Fero, Xume Evil, Huse Romo, Xudedaye Xishman.

42. Kurtiki: Related to the
Zurqi tribe. They lived in the province
of Wan, in the villages of
Pishikumbet, Shivekor [and] the township
of Begribe. They are
divided into Xoceliyan, Gasoran [and] Daudiyan. The Kurtikis who have long
settled in the province
of Yerevan are called
Daudi.

43. Kashaxi: They lived in
the province of Qers,
in the villages of Sineke, Entabe, Tendureke, Badili, Sariblaxe, Qaziqoplane,
Qiznefer, Dimsiz, Qerelix, [and] Heshari [and] the township of Surmeli.
They are divided into Kiroyan [and] Ixoyan.

44. Kileri: They lived in
the village of Eguke (Qers). Related to the Sipkan
tribe (see elsewhere).

45. Mamesherifi: Related to
Ortliyan (see elsewhere)

46. Mamreshi (Memreshi):
They are divided into two groups. The Mamreshis of the Zuquris and the
Mamreshis of Qers. In the province of Wan, they lived in the villages of Shivekor,
Pishikumbet [and] the township
of Begribe. The Mamresh
from Qers lived in the Sinek village (Qers).

47. Mamtaci: Related to the
Sherqiyan tribe. They lived in the villages of Sineke [and] Alashgire. They are
divided into two groups: Sheboyi and Shemoyi. A group of the Mamtacs link
themselves to the Ortli clan (see elsewhere).

48. Mamudoki: Related to
the Hesiniyan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the village
of Idire in the province of Qers.

49. Maseki: Related to a
clan of the Saniyan (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of Qerekende
and Zore in the district of Bazide, province
of Qers. The Masekis of
the Qerekende village migrated from the province of Wan
and therefore they are called Zuquri.

50. Mendesori: Related to
the Zuquri tribe. Their villages in the province of Wan
were Shemseddin and Seyidibeg. Some of their houses were in Utaye, Haceliye
(Wan) and Iran.
Many households of the Mendesoran lived in Qers, then moved to the Armenian township of Axbarane and settled in the villages of
Quribxaz and Gozeldere. They are called "Teze Mendesori" [New
Mendesori]. The Mendesori-Zuquri are divided into Cefiri, Bezeyi, Pilevni,
Nemoyi, Botoyi, Mendoyi [and] Elimisri. They say the Mendesoris, Mirangans,
Daudiyans, Gelutiyans and Yeknavan are all related. Originally, a clan of the
Mendesoris lived in Hekari (Turkey).
According to the elders, a clan of the Mendesoran lived in Cizira Botan; then
they moved to Qesrike (district of Xosheme), from Qesrike moved on to
Qerexesare and from Qerexesare migrated to and settled in Iran. In Iran, they
waged long wars, were defeated and dispersed. Following their defeat, a group
of the Mendesoran found themselves in the villages of Seyidibege and
Shemsedine.

51. Mendiki: Related to the
Zuquri tribe. They lived in the villages of Welicaniye, Chubuxliye, Utaye,
Shemsedine [and] Xoceqijlaxe, in the province
of Wan. A group of them
had settled in Tuteke and Ebexe. Their lord and leader was Cangir-axa the
immortal, son of Xetip-axaye Mendiki. Divided into Qasimi, Deliki, Memedi,
Gabushi, Qachali, (Sherefi?).

52. Mehemdi: They lived in
Sinek village in the province
of Qers. The Yezidis say,
"He who is not Mehemdi is not Yezidi!" Divided into Butkan,
Heweriyan, [and] Selmikan. They are all in the plain of Mehemden near Wan.

53. Mehmedi: ?

54. Mexsudi: Related to the
Hesiniyan tribe (see elsewhere).

55. Mirangi: They lived in
the villages of Tambov,
Sinek [and] Kose-Sogutli. They say Mirangan, Daudiyan, Mendesoran, Gelutiyan,
[and] Yeknavan are all related.

56. Mishidi: ?

57. Musesani: They migrated
from Entab and settled in Qers. They lived in the villages of Chetirholu [and]
Enguke in the province
of Qers. Also known as
Musesaniyan-Shushani. Divided into Shushani, Kuluki [and] Xidoyi. They say the
clans of Musesani, Xalti, Recevi, Rojki [and] Pivazi are all related and are
all from the Rojkans.

58. Muski: Related to the
Hesiniyan tribe. They lived in the village
of Zore in the province of Qers.

59. Mixayili: Related to
the Sipkan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the village of Tendureke.
Divided into Xishoyi, Bisheye, Qereyi, Unoyi (Uneyi), Eloyi [and] Iseyi.

60. Miheli: ?

61. Ozmansoyi: They lived
in the village of Idire in the province of Qers.

62. Ortli: They lived in
the villages of Sineke, Tendureke, Taushane [and] the village of Sariblaxe
(district of Surmeliye). Before that, they lived in the plain of Mush and
Entab. Divided into Mamudiyan, Eloyah, Ozmanhesoyan, Mamesherifi, Torini,
Valoyan, Bacoyan [and] Mamtaci.

63. Pezgevri: Related to
the Musesani-Shushani tribe (see elsewhere).

64. Pivazi: Related to the
Rojkan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in Entabe [and] Ebexe in the province of Qers. Divided into these clans:
Gerdenzeri, Gukasi, Piran, [and] Kendali. The Pivazis themselves are divided
into these houses: Buboyan, Reshoyan, Varoyan, Kekoyan, Nemoyan, [and] Sefoyan.
(For more information about the Pivazis see the section on Yezidis in Germany.)

65. Perwari: The lived in
Sinek village in the province
of Qers.

66. Pipriki: They're a clan
of the Shamis (see elsewhere). Divided into the houses of Qasoyan [and]
Shemoyan.

67. Qereyi: Related to the
Sipkan (see elsewhere). They lived in Entabe in the province of Qers.

68. Quchi: Lived in Sinek
village, province
of Qers.

69. Recevi: Related to the
Rojkan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of Tendureke, Digore,
Xerbe Digore, Zore, near Qereqola Baro, [and] Kosa-Sogutli. Originally they
lived in Entabe. They packed up and moved to the province
of Wan and thereafter settled in the province of Qers.

70. Remoshi: They lived in
the village of Zoe,
province of Qers.

71. Reshi: Related to the
Zuquri tribe. They lived in the villages of Yarimqa, Qerecux, Ute, [and]
Pishikumbet in the province
of Wan. The lord of the
Reshis was the house of Simoe Cheto-axa from the village of Yarimqa.
The house of Simoe Cheto was in itself a big house. They are divided into
Gurki, Sevoyi [and] Kopoyi. The house of Simoe Cheto-axa is Gurki. The Gurkis
are divided into Cetoyan, Temoyan (Mirzoyan) [and] Chetoyan (Isoyan). The
Sevoyis are divided into Mishkoyan (Usoyan). The Kopoyis are divided into
Engloyan, Zemoyan (Usoyan) [and] Cindoyan.

72. Reshki: Related to the
Zuquri tribe. They lived in the villages of Hecaliye [and] Shivekor in the
district of Begribe in the province
of Wan.

73. Rojki: Related to the
Rojkani tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the province of Qers,
in Digor. They're divided into Abuki [and] Chekoyi. The Rojki clans Rojki,
Recevi, Musesani, (Shushani), Pivazi [and] Xalti are all from the Rojkani
tribe. Some say they originally lived around the Persian
Gulf. Then, they moved to the province
of Mush and later settled in the province of Qers.

74. Sevlani (Selvani):
Related to the Hesiniyan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of
Sineke [and] Sariblaxe.

75. Selmiki: Related to the
Mehemdi tribe (see elsewhere).

76. Semilki: ?

77. Sani (Sahani): Lived in
the village of Tendureke,
Ebexe in the province
of Qers. Divided into
Kokliyan [and] Hesoyan

78. Sevi: ?

79. Sipki: Related to the
Sipkan tribe, they are Sipkanis. They lived in the villages of Digor, Qozlice,
Shirinkoyi, Enguk, Sichan, Sorgutlu, Qereqel, Baceli, Emenchayir, Duzgechi,
Sevik, Derik, Esmer Meleshemdin, Hoxan, Sinek [and] on the plain of Elashgire,
Dersime in the province of Qers. The late, learned Mr Heciye Cindi writes that
the Sipkans are from Mosul, Xezaliye (south Kurdistan) and Cizira Botan. The Sipkan tribe is divided
into the following clans: Kileri, Uti, Mixayili, Isedizi, Shemsiki, Siturki,
Chili, Qereyi [and] Shenederi. The Sipkanis in Armenia
and Georgia
are divided into two big groups: The tribe of Emer-axa and the tribe of Eli-axa
from Sineke.

80. Siturki: Related to the
Sipkan tribe. They have been among the Sipkan for a long time. They lived in
the villages of Zore, Egugnet, Sariblax, Qulp (Surmeli, Tendurek). A group of
the Siturkis lived on the Iranian border. A group remained in the Diyarbekir
province, in Sert (Bisheriye). The Siturkis from "the Anqosi country"
claim kinship with the Anqosis.

81. Sori: Related to the
Zuquri tribe (see elsewhere). Remained in the province of Wan.

82. Shami: Related to the
Zuquri tribe. They lived in the villages of Dercemeda jerin, Dercemeda jorin,
Kanisarke, [and] Chirax. The Shamis are related to a clan of the
Beravi-Beravine. Divided into two groups: Nemetan [and] Sheweshan. The Shamis
are divided into two clans: Pirpiriki [and] Chilxenceri (see elsewhere).

83. Shanederi (Shahnezeri):
Related to the Spikan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived near the Isadizi clan
in the province
of Qers.

84. Shariki: They lived in
the province of Qers along the river Arakse.

85. Semesorki: ?

86. Shemsiki: Divided into
two groups: the Shemsikis of the Zuquri and the Shemsikis of Qers. The
Shemsikis of the Zuquri lived in the villages of Kela Xoshabe, [and] Seyidibege
in the province
of Wan. The Shemsikis of
Qers lived in the village
of Qazi Qoplan in the
district of Surmeli and are related to the Sipkan tribe (see elsewhere)

87. Sherqi: Related to the
Hesiniyan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of Sineke, Zore
[and] Susize.

88. Shunki: They lived in
the district of Surmeliye, in the province
of Qers.

89. Shushani: They're
Musesanis (see elsewhere).

90. Tujki: Related the
Sherqis. They lived in the province
of Qers.

91. Torini: There are
Torini among a clan of the Ortli (see elsewhere). The Torinis from Sineke (the village of Qerek) and Zore (the House of Ozman-axa)
are the Beyinduris. (see elsewhere). There are also Torinis among the Axleran
(see elsewhere).

92. Udi: Related to the
Hesiniyan tribe (see elsewhere)

93. Ulki (Bilki): Related
to a clan of the Mendesoris (see elsewhere)

94. Uti: Related to the
Sipkani tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the villages of Digore, Qizilqul
(Quzurqul), Emenchayir, Shirinkoyi, [and] Elam
in the province
of Qers. Divided into
Xanoyi [and] Cewari.

95. Xidiri: ?

96. Xalti (Xaldi): Related
to the Rojkan tribe (see elsewhere). They lived in the province of Qers.
They say that the Xalti, Musesani, Recevi, Rojki [and] Pivazi are all related
and all are Rojkanis.

97. Xani: The majority
lived in the village of Qizildize, district of Bazide, Province of Qers.
A group of Xani households are related to the Zuquris and lived in the village of Pishikumbete
in the province
of Wan.

98. Yeknavi: They lived in
the vill