BERJÎN KARA

Makhmour- Language is not a basic element in human communication but also the culture, identity and reality of the society. Every community has one language. The Kurdish language, one of the oldest languages, is under the influence of dominant languages, like many languages. However, the Kurdish people are determined to preserve their language despite the genocidal attacks and assimilation policies.

 About 12,000 Kurdish refugees staying in Atroush camp started the Kurdish education system in tents in 1995. In 1998, they moved to the Makhmour refugee camp. Since Kurdish people in the camp have their own education system, the camp is recognized by the UNHCR. Currently, there are 12 schools in the camp: five kindergartens, four primary schools, two secondary schools and one high school.

 ‘Language brings with it an identity and a culture’

In an interview with NuJINHA, Xantûr Kara, a teacher at the Martyr Ferhat Kurtay Academy in the camp, spoke about the education system in the camp to mark the Kurdish Language Day, annually observed on May 15. Wishing a happy Kurdish Language Day to all Kurdish people, she said, “Undoubtedly, language has a different meaning and importance throughout history. Because each language brings with it an identity and a culture. Today, we call ourselves Kurdish people and country Kurdistan because we speak Kurdish and the Kurdish language is our identity and culture.”

‘We manage to preserve our language’

Speaking about genocidal attacks against them, she said, “Sovereign powers always use assimilation policies against us to destroy our language, identity and culture. Even though we have been subjected to genocidal attacks, we manage to preserve our language. Today, there are many extinct languages because they were not preserved. Language has a different meaning and importance for each society.” Xantûr Kara also talked about the determination of the residents of the camp for preservation of their language.

“Despite everything, they built their own education system because they wanted their children to receive education in their own mother language; however, they could not build schools so they turned their tents into schools.”

‘We are lucky to receive education in our own language’

Today we receive education in our own language after paying high prices, Xantûr Kara emphasized. “Today, we should ask ourselves how we can teach our children the Kurdish language, culture, history and identity. We should pass down our language, history and identity to the next generations. Unfortunately, many Kurdish children in Turkey and other countries cannot read or speak their mother language. As the people of Makhmour, we are lucky to receive education in our own language. This success is achieved thanks to our martyrs and leader Apo (Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan). This education system must be put in practice in four parts of Kurdistan: Northern Kurdistan, Southern Kurdistan, Eastern Kurdistan and Rojava Kurdistan.”

‘We should preserve our language’

Calling on the Kurdish people to speak their mother language everywhere, Xantûr Kara said, “We should preserve our language to preserve our identity and existence. Kurdish people and Kurdish language are under attack everywhere. We should strengthen our struggle to preserve our language.”