Barev

[Jam]

Hi everyone.

I'm interested in politics and history of Middle East and Caucasia so I joined this forum. I am not Armenian or at least not pure Armenian. I live in Germany and my parents are from a town called Tunceli (formerly known as Dersim and Mamekiye), which is in Criminal Republic of Turkey.

[seruven]

Re: Barev

Welcome to the forum, Jam. What do you mean by saying you're not a pure Armenian?
As you are coming from Tunceli, I thought that you'd be a Zaza. Am I wrong?

[Jam]

Re: Barev

Welcome to the forum, Jam. What do you mean by saying you're not a pure Armenian?
As you are coming from Tunceli, I thought that you'd be a Zaza. Am I wrong?

Thanks for welcoming me. I am a Zaza you're right. My father's grandmother was an Armenian that's why I said that I am not pure Armenian. But there are still some Armenians living in Tunceli.

Are you Turkish? You're nick-name means adventure in Turkish.

[seruven]

Re: Barev

While talking to the foreigners, if I'm in the mood of making explanations, I'm an Alawite (coming from Hatay). If I want to cut it short, I'm a Turk.

[Jam]

Re: Barev

I have met only a few Alawite from Hatay so far I think Alawites are nice people not like other Turks. Aren't Alawites from Hatay Arabs or something like that?

[Eddo211]

Re: Barev

Welcome to the Forum.

[Lucin]

Re: Barev

Hi everyone.

I'm interested in politics and history of Middle East and Caucasia so I joined this forum. I am not Armenian or at least not pure Armenian. I live in Germany and my parents are from a town called Tunceli (formerly known as Dersim and Mamekiye), which is in Criminal Republic of Turkey.

Hello Jam and welcome.

Can you give us more info on who the Zaza are? Also I noticed a symbol of ancient Iran (Zoroastrian era) on your avatar. I know it's beautiful but why did you choose that? I wonder if you have any particular belief?

[Jam]

Re: Barev

Hello Jam and welcome.

Can you give us more info on who the Zaza are? Also I noticed a symbol of ancient Iran (Zoroastrian era) on your avatar. I know it's beautiful but why did you choose that? I wonder if you have any particular belief?

Hello Lucin. Thanks for the welcome. Actually one can find a lot of information about Zazas in internet.

Zazas are people of Iranian heritage that live in Eastern Anatolia. Dersim (Tunceli), Erzincan, Elazig (Xarpet), Bingöl (Cholig), Varto and North Diyarbakir are mostly Zaza populated areas. Half of Zazas are Alevis, which live mostly in the north whereas Sunni Muslim Zazas live in the south. Zazas call their language also Kirmancki, Dimili, Sobe or just Zazaki, which is the same language but different dialects.

Zazas should not be confused with Kurds, since Zazaish is not a Kurdish language or dialect. Tunceli for sure and maybe Elazig are the only cities in Turkey where a Zaza majority live.

The picture you see in my avatar is called Faravahar or also called Fravashi, which is the symbol of a Zoroastrian angel. It stands for good thoughts, good words, good deeds, loyalty and fidelity. Symbol of Zoroastrianism is fire.

I chose that because I know that Iranians and Iranics used to be Zoroastrians before they were forced to convert to Islam. Alevi faith that is practiced in Tunceli is a mix of Zoroastrianism, Shia Islam and Christianity. So, I am interested in our roots and ancient culture that is why I put that. I also think to convert in a few years.

Here is a video about Zoroastrianism in Armenian:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1027168743928828199

You can also visit this Armenian forum where I posted some information and videos about Zoroastrianism.

http://team-aow.discuforum.info/t3184-Zerdustluk.htm

[Federate]

Re: Barev

Welcome to the forum Jam, we're glad to have you on board. It's great to see that you have an interest in Armenian-related topics.

[Lucin]

Re: Barev

Hello Lucin. Thanks for the welcome. Actually one can find a lot of information about Zazas in internet.

Zazas are people of Iranian heritage that live in Eastern Anatolia. Dersim (Tunceli), Erzincan, Elazig (Xarpet), Bingöl (Cholig), Varto and North Diyarbakir are mostly Zaza populated areas. Half of Zazas are Alevis, which live mostly in the north whereas Sunni Muslim Zazas live in the south. Zazas call their language also Kirmancki, Dimili, Sobe or just Zazaki, which is the same language but different dialects.

Zazas should not be confused with Kurds, since Zazaish is not a Kurdish language or dialect. Tunceli for sure and maybe Elazig are the only cities in Turkey where a Zaza majority live.

Interesting. Thanks for the explanation, I was going to assume wrongly that you're Kurds. I wonder whether the majority of Zazas are as conscious and proud of their roots and unique heritage as you? And what's your total number?

The picture you see in my avatar is called Faravahar or also called Fravashi, which is the symbol of a Zoroastrian angel. It stands for good thoughts, good words, good deeds, loyalty and fidelity. Symbol of Zoroastrianism is fire.

Yea, I know it's the Persian فروهر . I can confidently say that it's the most popular (the most sold) accessory today in Iran, among the Iranian youth. Despite being Muslums, they are very conscious of their national heritage, especially the younger generations. Incidentally I visited Persepolis like four months ago and I must say it was breathtaking...

I chose that because I know that Iranians and Iranics used to be Zoroastrians before they were forced to convert to Islam. Alevi faith that is practiced in Tunceli is a mix of Zoroastrianism, Shia Islam and Christianity. So, I am interested in our roots and ancient culture that is why I put that. I also think to convert in a few years.

Very nice... again I had heard some confusing, contradictory information about the Alevi faith. Thanks for the clarification and stay active.

If you could tell me more about Alevi faith in deatils or introduce some reliable sources, it'd be great!