The losses caused by the earthquakes that hit eastern Turkey and the border area of Syria last February could hardly ever be estimated. In cases like this, there is also the loss of the unique work that Mehmet Yıldırım (in Turkish), or Memed Desîmî (in Zazakî), could have provided to the world in the years to come, of studying and collecting a culture in such a delicate situation as that of the Zaza people.
Dr. Mehmet Yıldırım was born in Dersim in 1974. He died on 6 February of 2023 in Antakya, province of Hatay, victim of the earthquakes. Yıldırım was an academic and researcher and a member of Mustafa Kemal University. He was a great connoisseur of the culture of his homeland and spoke Zazakî, the severely endangered mother tongue of Ali Doğan Gönültaş.
At the time, Ali spoke to me about this loss and how he had been impressed by Yıldırım’s interpretation in a style that is now almost non-existent and how he had been shocked to learn of his passing. Below is Ali’s tribute to Dr. Yıldırım as well as some recordings of performances by himself. The portrait is from Dersim Ekspres.
Words by Ali about the piece and the Dr. Yıldırım:
“This recording, made in the Soğanlı Valley in Cappadocia, is a tribute to the memory of Memed Desîmî.
Memed’s oral history and academic work in Dersim shed light on the cultural and sociological structure of the region. He vocalized and transmitted old songs according to the dialect of the region.
Xeze is a female name meaning “Gazelle” in Zazakî. This traditional song from Dersim tells of a deep love. This traditional song was compiled by Memed Desîmî, who died in the earthquake in February, and his is the first recording of this piece that is published on the Internet.”.
Click to watch Xeze by Ali Doğan Gönültaş:
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Click to watch Xeze by Dr. Mehmet Yıldırım:
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Click to watch a piece by the bard from Dersim Sey Qajî, by Dr. Mehmet Yıldırım:
