The lives of Yezidis in Armenia - a short ethnographic sketches about the life and traditions of the Yezidis in Armenia

Unique in its beauty and significance, the village Jamushvan is located in Aragatsotn region of the Republic of Armenia. A resident of the village of Zoroe Shekh Meko, noted in his short story that the population of 26 families, of which 5 families of sheikhs, 5 families of pirs and 16 families of mrids. There are 11 Yazidi villages in the Aragatsotn region alone. According to him, in recent years, the life of Yazidis in the provinces of Armenia has started to improve in terms of education. In particular, he noted the beginning of teaching the Yazidi language in some Armenian schools from the second to the sixth grade. Yazidi children are taught their native language, culture and religion. The author and sponsor of the textbooks is the head of the Yazidi people in Armenia, Aziz Tamoyan.

Zoroe Shekh Meko noted that the Yazidi population is mainly engaged in animal husbandry and soil cultivation, in particular wheat crops.

The family of sheikhs, mother of nine children Msrat Usoyan kindly agreed to tell about the life of Yazidis in the village. A few years ago, the family was left without the head of the family, Vazir Usoyan. Despite the heavy loss in the family, they continue to honor traditions, support spiritual duties as sheikhs. Msrat Usoyan said that in the village the traditional cuisine of the Yezidi people are also popular. When asked how the family members relate to folk cuisine, Msrat proudly replied, with love and respect, as well as to the traditions and customs of the Yazidi people.

Msrat Usoyan: "We manage to preserve our ethnic identity in Armenia. However, life forces many to emigrate for a better life. Eight of my nine children live abroad, in Russia and in European countries. The reason for my children's migration is unemployment, and unfortunately there are many such families."

The head of the family of sheikhs, father of four children Meko Nasryan is the grandson of one of the founders of the village of Jamushvan. According to Meko Nasrani, the grandfather of his father Sheikh Nasr with his brother founded the village of Jamushvan. Meko Nasran also tells about the customs of the village, about the solidarity and the support of the Yezidis. For example, when someone in a village dies, the villagers provide financial assistance for the funeral of the deceased and conduct the funeral rite properly, strictly according to the Yazidi religious rite. The funeral procession takes place in the presence of representatives of the clergy of sheikhs and feasts. On the territory of the cemetery, almost a century ago was built kumayt a kind of tomb, which consists of twelve corners. It is noteworthy that milk was used in the construction of the structure instead of water. In tribute to the great-grandfather Meko Nazrana, Sheikh Nasr was buried in Kumite because he was the father of the founder of the village.