Preface

Persian dialects and among them those of Kurdistan have been the subject of much research by orientalists. In view of the comparatively large population of the Kurds and their variety of speech, the need was long felt for large scale study on the part of a native of that region, and it has fallen to my lot to make an attempt.

I spent eleven years studying different branches of Kurdish dialects; in this volume I am presenting a collection of interesting Kurdish songs, 437 in all, which are representative of many of these dialects. The origin of the dialects, their grammar and a comparison of them with the ancient Persian languages formed the subject of my university thesis. The composers of these songs are unknown. What is evident and certain is that they form part of the Kurdish literature and represent the feelings, ways of life and thought of many classes of Kurds. To know a nation or a people one must study, in addition to their political history, their traditions, customs, proverbs, lyric songs and legends. No literary history is complete without folklore.

Like the Persian, Kurdish songs can be attributed to no particular composers; often they are works of renowned poets changed and adapted by the publie to suit their taste.

Kurdish songs are simple, both in word and in meaning and carry natural sentiment. Much of their subject matter has no-parallel in Persian poetry. Some tell of man’s primitive thought and his natural inclination untouched by the corruption of modern society.

Kurdish verses are of three Kinds: firstly, prosodic verse, which is an imitation of Arabic and Persian poetry; secondly syllabic song called “Beit”; Thirdly Gorani or lyric songs with which I deal in this book. Gorani is the name of a clan in Kurdistan and the name by which all Kurdish songs are generally called.

It is hoped that the transcription and Persian translation of these songs will help the readers to grasp their metre and meaning. In the Persian translation attempts have been made to replace Kurdish words with words of the same root as far as possible. All the words will be found in a glossary at the end of the book which will help the reader to find when and how each word is used. All the songs are transcribed in Latin characters and the roots are shown with sings.