Yazidis in Armenia

Yazidis in Armenia
Total population
40,620[1];
60,000 (estimate, 2009)
Regions with significant populations
Armavir, Aragatsotn, Ararat, Kotayk provinces and Yerevan
Languages

Kurdish: 31,310 (77.1%)
Armenian: 5,278 (12.9%)
Russian: 230 (0.6%)
Other: 3,802 (9.4%)
Religion

Yazdânism
Related ethnic groups

Kurds

The Yazidis (Armenian: Եզդիներ Yezdiner) are the largest ethnic and religious minority in Armenia. Yazidis are well integrated minority. They have freedom of religion and non-interference in their cultural traditions (although this does not account for, as is the case with all countries, prejudices among the people of Armenia).

Contents

History

Early 20th century

Many Yazidis came to Armenia and Georgia during the 19th and early 20th centuries to escape religious persecution, as they were oppressed by the Ottoman Turks and the Sunni Kurds who tried to convert them to Islam. The Yazidis were massacred alongside the Armenians during the Armenian Genocide, causing many to flee to Russian held parts of Armenia.[2] The first ever Yazidi school opened in Armenia in 1920.[3]

Nagorno-Karabakh War

Due to the ethnic tension created by the war with Azerbaijan, the Yazidi community has renounced its ties with the mostly Muslim Kurds that fled the country and tried to establish itself as a distinct ethnic group. The Yezidis showed Armenian patriotism during the Nagorno-Karabakh war when many died in service.[3]

Present situation

According to the 2001 Census, there are about 40,620 Yazidis in Armenia.[1]

Reports on the relations between Yazidis and the Armenian government have been mixed.

According to a 2004 U.S. Department of State human rights report, Yazidis are subjected to harassment in Armenia, including the hazing of Yazidi army conscripts and poor police responses to crimes committed against Yazidis. A high percentage of Yazidi children do not attend school, due to poverty and a lack of teachers who speak their native language. [4]

According to a 2007 U.S. Department of State human rights report, "As in previous years, Yezidi leaders did not complain that police and local authorities subjected their community to discrimination"[5].

Distribution

Yazidis in Armenia by provinces
Province (marz) Yazidis  % of Yazidis in Armenia
Armavir 17,665
43.5%
Aragatsotn 6,405
15.8%
Ararat 5,940
14.6%
Yerevan 4,733
11.6%
Kotayk 4,097
10.1%
Shirak 974
2.4%
Lori 793
1.9%
Gegharkunik 8
Syunik 4
Tavush 1
Vayots Dzor 0
Total 40,620 100%

There are 22 rural settlemens in the Republic of Armenia with Yazidi majoriy. The biggest Yazidi village in Armenia is Verin Artashat in Ararat Province with 4,270 residents.

Aragatsotn Province

There are 19 Yazidi-inhabited villages in Aragatsotn Province.

Aragats district Talin district Ashtarak district

Armavir Province

There are two Yazidi villages in Armavir Province: Yeraskhahun and Ferik, both in Ejmiatsin district.

Ararat Province

The only Yazidi village is Verin Artashat, near Artashat.

Notable Armenian-Yazidi People

See also

References

  1. ^ a b National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia - 2001 Armenian National Census
  2. ^ A Conditional Coexistence:Yezidi in Armenia
  3. ^ a b The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
  4. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2004, February 28, 2005
  5. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Armenia

External links