Shabakism

Shabakism is syncretic faith, incorporating aspects of Islam, Christianity, and Yezidism, practiced by the Shabak people of northern Iraq. The primary Shabak religious text is the Byruk or Kitab al-Managib (Book of Exemplary Acts) and is written in Turkoman.[1][2]

Shabakism combines elements of Sufism with the uniquely Shabak interpretation of "divine reality." According to Shabaks, this divine reality supersedes the literal, or Shar'ia, interpretation of the Qur'an. Shabaks comprehending divine reality through the mediation of a spiritual guide, or "Pir," who also performs Shabak rituals.[3] Pirs are in turn led by the Supreme Head of Shabakism or "Baba." The structure of these mediatory relationships closely resembles that of the Yarsan.[1]

Many Shabaks regard themselves as Shia Muslims despite variation between Shabak practice and mainstream Shia Islam. For example, Shabakism includes the conventionally Christian practices of confession and alcohol consumption, the latter of which is forbidden in Shia.[4] Nonetheless, Shabaks undertake pilgrimages to locations sacred to the Yazidi[5] and to locations sacred to the Shia, such as Najaf and Karbala.[6]

Shabaks consider the poetry of Ismail I to be revealed by God, and they recite Ismail's poetry during religious meetings.[3]

See also

Sources

  1. 1 2 Dr. Michiel Leezenberg. "The Shabak and the Kakais". Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Assyrian News Agency (16 August 2005). "Kurdish Gunmen Open Fire on Demonstrators in North Iraq". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 A. Vinogradov, Ethnicity, Cultural Discontinuity and Power Brokers in Northern Iraq: The Case of the Shabak, American Ethnologist, pp. 214-215, American Anthropological Association, 1974
  4. ↑ Otto, Jan Michiel. Sharia and National Law in Muslim Countries. Amsterdam University Press. pp. 663, 31. ISBN 978-90-8728-048-2.
  5. ↑ Looklex Encyclopaedia. "Shabak / Religion". Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  6. ↑ van Bruinessen, Martin (2000). Mullas, sufis and heretics: the role of religion in Kurdish society: collected articles. Isis Press. pp. 259–???. ISBN 978-975-428-162-0.
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