Lalish

Lalish (Kurdish: lalis; Arab لالش, lalis DMG ) is a valley in today's Iraq, about 60 km north of the city of Mosul, which houses the central sanctuary of the Yazidis. Visit the place especially in the context of the annual Yezidi festival Jezhna Jema ʿ Iye from 6 to 13 October, but also at other times.

The Yazidis applies Lalish as the holiest place on earth. There are here two sacred sources, the "White Source" ( Kaniya SIPI ) and the " Zamzam " ( Kaniya Zemzem ) that should be available in conjunction with the Zamzam in Mecca. The main sanctuary is the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, the most important saints of the Yazidis. Above her are two large Qubbas, which can be seen from afar raise. Front of the Shrine Sheikh Adi is the so-called " market knowledge" ( Sûqa Me ʿ rifetê ), a great place where the pilgrims stay and celebrate during the festivities.

At the bottom of Lalish - valley is the Silat Bridge ( Pira Silat ). It separates the sacred from the profane. The sacred area must only be entered barefoot. From Lalish the Yazidi bring consecrated ground, which is formed with the holy water of Zamzam to solid beads. They are considered " sacred stones " (sing. berat ) and play an important role in many religious ceremonies.

Trivia

In Karl May's novel Through the wild Kurdistan the valley of " Sheik Adi " ( pars pro toto for Lalish ) scene of a battle between the Yazidis is ( in May " Dschesidi " ) and Turkish troops.