Short Answer
This encyclopedia entry surveys the development of Yazidi writing systems, highlighting the transition from Arabic‑based manuscripts to contemporary Latin and Cyrillic orthographies and the ongoing standardisation in Unicode.
Yazidi writing systems (Kurmanji: nivîskarîya Êzidiyan) refer to the various scripts employed to record the Kurdish‑based language of the Yazidi religious community, ranging from early Arabic‑script texts to modern Latin and Cyrillic adaptations.
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Kurmanji name | nivîskarîya Êzidiyan |
| Also written | Yazidi script, Êzidî alphabet |
| Category | Writing system / Orthography |
| Region | Sinjar (Iraq), Sheikhan (Iraq), Northwestern Syria, Turkey, Caucasus diaspora |
| Observed/Active | 1911–present (revival from 2000s) |
| Primary sources | Maṣḥaf Raš, Ktébī J̌alwe̱h, Unicode proposal documents |
Pronunciation & orthography
The term is rendered in Kurmanji as nivîskarîya Êzidiyan. In Arabic‑script manuscripts it appears as نڤيسكارى يـزديان, while Latin‑based modern orthographies use Êzidî and Cyrillic adaptations employ Эзиди. IPA: /niˈviːskaɾiːja ˈeːzidiˈjan/. Common English misspellings include “Yazidi”, “Yezidi”, and “Ezidi”.
Main exposition
Early Arabic‑script tradition (c. 1911)
The first widely recognised Yazidi manuscripts, Maṣḥaf Raš (Black Scroll) and Ktébī J̌alwe̱h (Book of Revelation), were published by Anastase Marie Al‑Karmali in 1911 using a consonantal Arabic‑derived alphabet of 33 letters (Source 1). These texts demonstrated a distinct Yazidi orthography that incorporated diacritical marks to represent sounds absent in classical Arabic.
Revival and Latinisation (late 20th–early 21st century)
After a long period of oral transmission, the early 2000s witnessed concerted efforts by scholars and community activists to devise a Latin‑based orthography suitable for education and digital communication. The Latin script aligns with the Kurdish‑Kurmanji phonology and simplifies printing (Source 2).
Cyrillic experiments in the Caucasus diaspora
Yazidi communities that migrated to the former Soviet Union adopted Cyrillic conventions to integrate with local schooling systems. The Cyrillic version mirrors the Latin set but uses characters such as “Э” and “Ӧ” to capture specific vowel qualities (Source 2).
Unicode encoding and modern digital usage
In 2019, a formal proposal (L2/18‑238) was submitted to the Unicode Consortium to allocate a dedicated block for the Yazidi script in the Supplementary Multilingual Plane (SMP) (Source 3). The proposal documented 33 base letters, several ligatures (e.g., PW, EW), and diacritics, paving the way for font development and cross‑platform support.
“The encoding of the Yazidi script will enable the community to preserve its literary heritage while participating fully in the digital age.” – Rovenchak, Pirbari & Karaca, 2019 (Source 3)
In the oral tradition
Yazidi religious poetry (qewl) and prose (beyt) have historically been memorised and transmitted orally. Omarkhali notes that the shift to written forms has altered the performance context, yet many qewl remain unwritten, preserving a distinct oral canon (Source 4).
“Even today, most qewl are recited from memory; the written script serves as a supplement, not a replacement.” – Omarkhali, 2017 (Source 4)
Scholarly disagreement
Pirbari argues that the Yazidi alphabet dates to the 13‑14th centuries based on paleographic analysis (Source 1). In contrast, Amoêv contends that the script likely emerged in the 17‑18th centuries, citing the lack of earlier documentary evidence (Source 1). Both positions influence how the community’s literary chronology is interpreted.
Common misconceptions
Regional variation
In Sinjar and Sheikhan (Iraq), Latin orthography dominates educational materials, whereas Syrian Yazidis often employ Arabic‑script due to Arabic‑language schooling. Turkish Yazidis favour a hybrid Latin‑Arabic system, and the Caucasus diaspora uses Cyrillic forms. Diasporic communities in Europe increasingly adopt the Unicode‑ready Latin script for online communication.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1911 | Publication of Maṣḥaf Raš and Ktébī J̌alwe̱h in an original Yazidi consonantal alphabet (Source 1) |
| 2000s | Grass‑roots revival of Yazidi writing; development of Latin orthography (Source 2) |
| 2018 | Submission of Unicode proposal L2/18‑238 (Source 3) |
| 2019 | Public release of detailed encoding document, including ligatures (Source 3) |
| 2020s | Increasing digital usage of the proposed Unicode block in community apps (unpublished reports) |
Data table
| Script | First documented use | Letter count | Primary region | Unicode status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic‑derived Yazidi | 19111 | 331 | Sinjar, Sheikhan1 | Not encoded3 |
| Latin orthography | 2000s2 | 332 | Iraqi Kurdistan, diaspora2 | Proposed – pending3 |
| Cyrillic adaptation | 2000s2 | 332 | Caucasus diaspora2 | Not encoded3 |
FAQ
Why did Yazidis shift from Arabic to Latin scripts?
The Latin script aligns with the phonology of Kurdish‑Kurmanji, facilitates printing, and supports integration with international education systems, especially after the early‑2000s revival efforts.
Is the Yazidi script officially part of Unicode?
A formal proposal was submitted in 2018 and publicly released in 2019, but the block is still awaiting final approval from the Unicode Consortium.
How reliable are the early manuscripts as sources for the script?
The 1911 manuscripts are the earliest widely recognised examples, but some scholars argue they may represent a later standardisation rather than the original medieval script (see Pirbari 2026 vs. Amoêv).
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