Yezidi Oral Tradition and Late Antique Religious Motifs by Eszter Spät

Description

Eszter Spät's "Late Antique Motifs in Yezidi Oral Tradition" explores the historical roots of various elements within the Yezidi religion by tracing their connections to the religious landscape of Late Antiquity in the Middle East. The study draws on extensive fieldwork conducted among Yezidis in Iraqi Kurdistan, focusing on their rich oral traditions. Spät examines potential influences from Gnosticism, Manichaeism, Judaism, and early Christianity on Yezidi beliefs and practices, analyzing specific myths, rituals, and symbolic imagery. The work investigates topics such as creation myths, the figure of the Peacock Angel, the significance of sacred garments, and the concept of spiritual awakening, comparing them with parallel motifs in ancient religious movements. Ultimately, the book illuminates the complex layers of Yezidi religious tradition, revealing its engagement with broader historical and cultural currents of the region.