Kaniya Sêva, the “White Spring” of Lalish, is a karst spring revered by Yazidis for its role in the baptism‑like mor kirin rite. This article surveys its geological setting, historic development, ritual significance, and contemporary conservation challenges.
Yazidis in Iraq rely on a hybrid legal framework that blends community‑issued religious contracts with the national Personal Status Law, which defaults to Islamic Sharia when no specific statute exists. This article details how marriage, divorce, and inheritance are regulated, the role of the Yazidi Supreme Spiritual Council, and the interaction with Iraqi courts.
This article examines the legal mechanisms—both international and Iraqi national—that aim to locate and account for missing Yazidis after the Islamic State genocide. It outlines court cases, legislative frameworks, and the role of civil‑society actors in pursuing justice and truth.
Since ISIS’s 2014 campaign devastated dozens of Yazidi holy sites, a mix of local communities, NGOs, and international donors have launched reconstruction projects. This article surveys the main initiatives, the obstacles they face, and the measurable outcomes up to 2026.
Several digital initiatives now preserve Yazidi sacred verses, including the Yazidi Community Archive, the Institute for Ezidi Sciences, and academic collaborations documenting Qewls and Beyts. Researchers can access these resources through open‑access portals, downloadable datasets, and institutional repositories.
In the aftermath of ISIS, Yazidi sheikhs have become pivotal political actors, navigating alliances with Kurdish parties, the Iraqi state, and emerging independent movements. Their influence shapes reconstruction, security, and representation for the Yazidi community.
Qewls are the sacred hymns that form the core of Yazidi religious knowledge. While their core theological content is shared, the texts differ in language, melodic structure, and performance practice across Iraqi, Turkish, and diaspora communities. These differences reflect historical migration, local linguistic influences, and modern media adoption.
European consular dispatches from the 1800s, especially those of British diplomats like James Brant, reshaped how Yazidis were perceived by the Ottoman state and by neighboring communities. These reports supplied external categories that Yazidis later incorporated into their own narratives of communal solidarity and legal status.
Yazidi women have historically shaped communal life through ritual caretaking, household stewardship, and cultural transmission. Recent decades have seen expanding public roles, advocacy, and leadership, while ongoing challenges and diaspora dynamics shape future prospects.
Digital archives such as the Yazda Video Archive, the Yazidi Cultural Archives on Google Arts & Culture, and the Yazidi Genocide Archive are reshaping how Yazidi religious knowledge is taught and preserved among displaced communities, offering accessible, multimedia resources that bridge oral tradition and modern pedagogy.