Midyat Yezidis with their socio-cultural and religious dimensions

Yezidis, one of the ancient peoples of the Mesopotamian region, are a religious group that stands out with its unique features at some points, while bearing traces of many religions. In recent years, more research has been done on the Yezidi belief and the Yezidis who belong to this belief compared to the past. However, the lack of a study on the socio-cultural relations between Midyat Yezidis and Muslims led to this study. Yezidis established social relations with Muslims as well as with people from many religions in Midyat. It has always been a matter of curiosity what dimension these relations have gained in different periods. In this study; It is aimed to understand how the problems experienced in the region, the forced migrations of the Yezidis and the religious structure of both groups are reflected in the relations. In this context, first of all, literature review was made and Yezidism and Yezidi history were included. In addition to the literature review on Midyat Yezidis and their relations with Muslims, interview and participatory observation methods were used. This study was created based on the information gaiined as a result of interviews with 40 Yezidis and 7 Muslims. In the light of this information, it has been seen that Yezidis lived in Midyat for many years with their unique cultural structures, religious beliefs, holidays, customs and traditions. As they are affected by the economic, political and social problems experienced here like other people in the region, it has been observed that they experience more social distress due to their minority status and prejudices against their beliefs. As a result of these, it was concluded that there were great problems between Yezidis and Muslims in certain periods, positive relations were established, and better relations were tried to be established by forgetting the problems experienced in the past.