Ey Reqîb
Kurdish National Anthem
If we look at the world today, we can see that a large percentage of countries around the world have a national anthem. So what is the significance of it and what is the purpose of having an anthem anyway?
I truly believe that a national anthem is one important aspect of a country’s identity and status as it speaks greatly about the being of that nation. Anthems often share similarities as they speak about themes of war, violence and the struggle of people in general. This is the case for the Kurdish national anthem “Ey Reqîb”, which translates to “Hey enemy”. The Kurdish national anthem tells a story of struggle and how the nation has thrived throughout history against the oppressors. It reminds outside colonists that we as a nation are still here and nothing can wipe us out off this earth. It speaks about our ancestors, tracing it back to Medya and Keyhusrew ancestry. Having said this, our national anthem speaks to all those who may question the Kurdish history or identity. It is for those who refuse to believe that we exist as a people yet alone a united Kurdistan. Out national anthem instills patriotism and nationalism in us. I believe this to be a good thing especially with the current situation in Kurdistan. Protecting it’s people is the main focus of the government officials, Peshmerga, PKK, and all other groups fighting against ISIS. In addition, I would like to add that at times like this, Patriotism is good as it bring citizens together. Understanding a country’s struggle is really through it’s national anthem.
So who wrote this poem that millions of Kurds worldwide sing and hold close to their heart?
The Kurdish National Anthem was written by a Kurdish poet named Yonis Reuf who was known as Dildar. Dildar was born in 1917 in the city of Koye which is located in Southern Kurdistan. Yonis Reuf was an intelligent young man who studied Law in Baghdad, Iraq. He wrote this national anthem in the year of 1938 when he was a political prisoner. This poem was originally written in the Kurdish dialect of Soranî, and was later translated into the Kurmancî dialect for those Kurds living in border Kurdistan. Shortly after he wrote “Ey Reqîb”, Political parties from all of Kurdistan picked it up after their revolutions against the oppressors and it was later sung across all borders of Kurdistan. The Great Yonis Reuf died in 1948 at the young age of 31. May he rest in peace always and I am forever grateful for his strong words about our Kurdish identity and land. Beji Kurd u Kurdistan!
Lastly, I did not go into full details about each section of the anthem because I really want the reader to interpret and perceive it in their own way. Therefore, the best way to do that is by reading it and trying to understand it individually. It will allow the reader to see the beauty and significance of the anthem and its relation to the Kurdish struggle. I have included the Kurdish National Anthem in English and Kurdish dialects.
In Sorani dialect
Ey raqîb her mawe qewmî Kurd ziman,
Nay sikên danery topî zeman
Kes nelê Kurd mirduwe
Kurd zîn duwe,
Zîn duwe qet nanewê alakeman
Ême roley rengî sûr û soris în,
Seyrîke xuênawiya raburdûman
Kes nelê Kurd mirduwe
Kurd zîn duwe,
Zîn duwe qet nanewê alakeman
Ême roley Midya û Keyhusrew în,
Dînîman û ayînman her Kurdistan
Dînîman û ayînman Kurd u Kurdistan
Kes nelê Kurd mirduwe
Kurd zîn duwe,
Zîn duwe qet nanewê alakeman
Lawî Kurd hestaye ser pê wek dilêr,
Ta be xuên nexsîn deka tacî jiyan
Kes nelê Kurd mirduwe
Kurd zîn duwe,
Zîn duwe qet nanewê alakeman
Lawî Kurdî hazir û amadeye,
Giyan fîdan e, giyan fîda her giyan fîda
Giyan fîdan e, giyan fîda her giyan fîda!!!…
In Kurmanji dialect
Ey reqîb her mawe qewmî Kurd zeman
Naî şikênî danerî topî zeman (X2)
Kes nelê Kurd mirdowe (X2)
Kurd zîndowe
Zîndowe qet nanewê ala keman (X2)
Qewmî Kurd hestaye ser pê wek dilêr
Ta be xwên nexşî bike tancî jîyan (X2)
Kes nelê Kurd mirdowe (X2)
Kurd zîndowe
Zîndowe qet nanewê ala keman (X2)
Êma roley rengî sor û şoreşîn
Sêrîke xwênawî ye rabirdoman (X2)
Kes nelê Kurd mirdowe (X2)
Kurd zîndowe
Zîndowe qet nanewê ala keman (X2)
Ême roley mîdîya û keyxosrewîn
Dîn man û ayîn man her Nîştîman(X2)
Kes nelê Kurd mirdowe (X2)
Kurd zîndowe
Zîndowe qet nanewê ala keman (X2)
Lawî Kurd her hazir û amade ye
Canfîdayê canfîda her canfîda (X2)
Kes nelê Kurd mirdowe(X2)
Kurd zîndowe
Zîndowe qet nanewê ala keman(X2)
Nivîskarê Ey Reqîb ê :
Hozan Dildar ( 1918-1948 )
English Translation
Hey enemy, the Kurdish nation is alive with its language
Can not be defeated by the weapons of any time
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
We, the youth are the red colour of the revolution
Watch our blood that we shed on this way
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, our flag will never fall
We are the children of Medya and Keyhusrew
Both our faith and religion are our homeland
Both our faith and religion are Kurd and Kurdistan
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, our flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth have risen like lions
To adorn the crown of life with blood
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, our flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth are ever present and
Forever will be ready to sacrifice their lives
Sacrifice each life they have, each life they have!!!…
DILDAR
Translated by: Brusk Chiwir Reshvan
