04/10/2026
There is a word we use in Kurdish: Xwelîser. We use this word for someone who is incompetent or pitiful. This word contains absolutely no insult. It is a very old word that has been passed down from our ancestors to the present day for thousands of years. Among Kurds, it is used completely innocently.
Xwelîser consists of two words, and the first part, xwelî, means “ash.” In Kurdish culture, this word refers to the ashes left behind when someone’s house burns down. It reflects how heartbreaking it was, especially in the past, when Kurds whose homes had burned down would take those ashes and pour them over their heads.
Xwelî li serê min bû → “My head became ash.”
In Kurdish, this expression carries meanings such as “my house burned down, I am ruined, I am finished, I have lost everything, my situation is very bad.”
Three years ago, during the earthquake that took place in Herat, Afghanistan, I was very surprised to see an Afghan person take soil and pour it over his head. I said to myself, “They poured soil over their heads just like Kurds do.” This gesture carries the meaning of “my house has collapsed, burned down, and turned to ashes.” I found this very interesting.
I wondered, “Could they be Kurds?” because we know that at least 300,000 Kurds live in Afghanistan. And they live particularly in the city of Herat.
I love Kurdish culture and the Kurdish language very much because Kurds have preserved thousands of years of history within their language and have succeeded in carrying it down to the present day. Every single word used by Kurds tells a story of a very deep and ancient history.
What about your language and culture? Do you have any words similar to this one?
Lo me çi kir me çi kir
Me xwelî li serê xwe kir
Ma ne şerm û fedî ye
Ev doza me ji bo çi ye
Çend gotina ez ê bêjim
Ez ne dînim ne gêjim
Hişê min li serê min e
Her tişt ber çavê min e
Bijî zimanê, uzmanê, zonê, zuwanê Kurdî 🌹🌄🕊️