Baz, Turkey
Baz (Syriac-Aramaic: ܒܙ) was a semi-autonomous Assyrian district within Hakkari. It is currently a non-administrative region located in the Hakkâri Province of Turkey. To the north of Baz is located Kara Kuş, to the East is Jilu and to the south east is Dağ İçinde.
History
The word Baz means falcon in Kurdish. Members are Aramaic speaking, ethnic Assyrian Christians. Argabaye and Artusnaye were fine architects and builders. Mahaye and Shawutnaye the administrators in the region and also heavily involved in the militia. Maha Khtayya was the chief village of the region, followed by Shwawuta. Compared to other tribes where the position of Malek was hereditary, Baznayeh maliks were elected by the communities. All the Maliks descended from Maha Khtayya and/or Shwawuta. The last malik, Malik Khamo Younan of Maha Khtayya passed away in 1937 at Baghdad, Iraq. Meanwhile, Selimnaye (and Kojiknaye) were renowned blacksmiths who worked not only in Baz, but throughout all of Upper Mesopotamia. To this present day, many descendants in Iraq continue to work as blacksmiths and their legacy shall continue. The Baz region was also the birthplace and ancestral home of the Assyrian World War I commander General Agha Petros. Argab was the smallest settlement, yet it is believed that they are the indigenous people of the area.
Baznaye are traditionally adherents of the Assyrian Church of the East, and the majority remain adherents. Baznaye can also be found in the Chaldean Catholic Church due to the conversions made in the early 20th century and resettlement near traditional Chaldean villages. Some Baznaye also joined the Ancient Church of the East after the 1968 schism. A very small minority also adhere to Presbyterianism, Anglicanism and Evangelicalism. The patron saint of the region is Mar Qayyoma. Mar Zaia is also highly revered as it was the cathedral church of Diocese of Jilu and Baz.
Currently, Baznaye are found in about 10 villages between Iraq and Syria, mainly segregated according to village affiliation. Political and economic unrest in Iraq and the Middle East has forced Baznaye to leave their traditional homelands. They are currently found all over the world mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several Western European countries.
Original Assyrian villages
These are the original villages located in the Baz region. The region has been empty since they were abandoned in 1915 due to the Assyrian genocide. However, church buildings still stand; namely Mar Qayyoma in Shwawuta, Mar Quryaqos in Argab and Mart Maryam in Be-Selim. It is possible that several houses could be still standing. The region is currently difficult to access due to the mountainous terrains and the ongoing conflicts between the Turkish government and Kurdish rebels.
- Arwantus (Artusnayeh)
- Shwawuta (Shawutnaye)
- Maha Khtayya (Mahayeh)
- Be-Selim (Selimnayeh)
- Argab (Argabayeh)
- Kojij (considered part of Be-Selim)
- Tovaye (Kurdish Baz village)
Current Baznayeh settlements
These are the villages occupied after the Baznayeh were resettled by the British in 1920s and the French in the 1930s.
- Babilo (Shawitnaye)
- Bagereh (Selimnaye)
- Chaqala (Kojiknaye)
- Sardarawa (Shawutnaye)
- Sorka (Mahaye)
- Simele (Mahaye)
- Badarrash (Artusnaye)
- Sikren (Selimnaye)
- Darawa (Artusnaye)
- Pirozawa (Argabaye)
- Ain Sifne (Mixed Baznaye)
- Mawana (Mixed Baznaye)
- Tel-Baz (Shawutnaye and Mahaye)
- Tel-Rumman (Selimnaye and Mahaye)
Famous Baznayeh
- General Agha Petros Elia - Assyrian military leader during World War I and Chief Negotiator for the Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac people during the 1920s.
- Mar Narsai De Baz - Assyrian Church of the East late Metropolitan of Syria, Lebanon, and all of Europe. Assyrian activist during the 1970s.
- Mar Zaia Khoshaba - Ancient Church of the East Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad and Secretary of the Synod.
- Demitri Elloff - Co-founder of the Assyrian Universal Alliance and son of General Agha Petros
- Rev. Daniel De Baz - Presbyterian priest who ran the missionary school in Baz
- Rabi Youkhanan De Baz - Printed Assyrian books from his printing press in Iraq
- Dr. Petros De Baz - Renowned doctor for his work 'The History of Medicine'
- Youkhanis Malik Khamou - Rab Khamshi in the Assyrian Levies, later joined the Iraqi Army. Son of Malik Khamou.
- Qasha Elias De Baz - Well-known priest in Mar Shimun's court and father of late Mar Narsai
- Malik Khamou Younan - the last chief (malik) of the Baz region, died 1937 at Baghdad.
- Malik Younan II - did not pay taxes to the Turks for eight years and freely ruled his tribe.
- Malik Hormis - who several times repulsed raids by Kurds of Urmar. This malik, when it was necessary, could raise 900 volunteer fighters.
- Ninos Andreous Nirari - Assyrian activist, renowned poet and author of Agha Petros' biography and many other books.
- Sheeba Hami - Assyrian Democratic Movement fighter and martyr
- Nineb Tooma Lamassu - archaeologist, researcher, poet
- Zaia Albazi - Famous poet, actor, writer.
- Feras Albazi - Famous Assyrian singer
- John Dashto - Famous Assyrian singer and musician
- Julie Yousif - Famous Assyrian singer from Detroit, Michigan.
- Edward Yousif - Famous Assyrian musician from Detroit, Michigan. Brother of Julie Yousif.
- Mokhles Yousif - Assyrian singer from Phoenix, Arizona
- Ninos Tooma - Assyrian singer from Sydney, Australia
- Wilson Lilu - Assyrian poet
- Feoder Bazi - Famous Assyrian singer
- Bazi Romyo Abdal - Assyrian keyboard/saz player in Germany from Syria Tel Ruman
- Robin Talow - Assyrian Iraqi singer
- Phillip William - Famous Assyrian singer