Mawlid Tradition of the Kurds and Its Contribution to Kurdish Literature and Culture in the Case of the Kurds of Türkiye

Abstract

Over time, today’s religious, cultural, social and literary elements have emerged along with an accumulation of an ancient heritage that has come to life as a way of life and belief. In this vein, Muslims, as adherents to the religion of Islam, have produced verbal and literary products called Mevlit (Turkish). The Mevlit are based in enthusiasm for the birth of Muhammad, messenger of Allah. Mevlit works, first examples of which are encountered in Arabic literature, later show themselves in Kurdish literature. The present study includes a discussion on the contribution of these mawlid (Arabic) in view of the great literary and cultural influence on Kurdish literature and culture. Initially, the dictionary meaning of the Turkish word “Mevlid” once provided, the history and the writing and celebration of the Mevlid from the first periods to the present day is discussed.