Kurds are the indigenous people of Mesopotamia which is often referred to as the holy lands between two rivers; Euphrates and Tigris. The Kurds settled in the plains of Mesopotamia and the mountains of Zagros, Taurus, Ararat, Qandil, and Hakkari. Kurds have lived in Mesopotamia and the Middle East for thousands of years. Being descendants from civilizations including Hurrian, Guti, Lulu, Hittites, and Medes.

Kurdistan’s strategic location, abundant natural resources, and underground resources have all contributed to the region’s history of conflict. Assyrians, Alexander the Great, Crusaders, and Mongols arrived in Kurdistan to reach for their aims and to conquer this land of many riches.

Kurds are the largest stateless nation with a population of more than 60 million around the world. Kurdish lands are divided between four countries; Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. These divisions caused several forced assimilations by those countries however they have always found strong and dynamic resilience.

Kurds have a very diverse and rich culture in every region. There is no standardized language and it even changes between very close villages. The search for the Kurdish language and culture is everlasting and charming. The language was mostly spread through verbal cultural tools such as songs (dengbej/stran/kilam), stories, and epics. Despite all the forced assimilation policies, the Kurdish language became the 8th largest language in Wiktionary. Generally, Kurds speak in Kurmanci, Sorani, Zazaki, Badini, and Gorani.

Kurds first adhered to Zoroastrianism, which focuses on the struggle between good and evil. Kurds follow several different belief systems at the moment. The special days hold significance in Kurdish culture such as Newroz, and Çarşema Sor. Kurds maintain large tribes as a type of familial organization, which has been essential to preserving the Kurdish language and culture.

Kurds have different kinds of liberation movements in each country to protect Kurdish rights, culture, and language. The most known event about Kurds is the great war against ISIS in Rojava (North and East Syria) by brave Kurdish women and men. Kurds are leading guerilla warfare in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran to protect Kurds’ lives and their material and sentimental values and they control a considerable amount of land without the support of international actors.