Al Qamishli
The Kochar Community – Tebke village
Situated within the confines of Tebke village, the Kochar community in Syria symbolises a reflection of their travelling ancestral lineage as Nomadic Kurds. Initially rooted in the historic land of Bohtan Emirate that existed in the 19th century in Kurdistan, a historical and cultural Kurdish region, spanned across Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria. After the failure of Sheikh Said Prian’s revolution against the newly established republic of Turkey (1925), the Kochars settled in many Syrian hamlets, including Tebke village. Cultural ceremonies hold a paramount place within the Kochar community. Key festivities such as Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr are not only deeply symbolic to this village but also mirror wider Syrian traditions.
Celebration highlights consist of dynamic Dabkeh dances and traditional melodies which contribute to an atmosphere of joy underscoring their vibrant culture that emanates tenacity. Dohol (which is the Kurdish version of the Tabel) and Zurna instruments echo the traditions of the Kochar community. In the past, playing Dohol and Zurna was a primary livelihood, but modern times have seen a shift. Musicians engage in various jobs to sustain themselves. The profession is often inherited, passed down from fathers to sons, guarded by societal shame and prohibitions.
The Kochar’s connection with the land and seasons is mirrored in their songs, ranging from harvest tunes to rituals like Kerāfat and Ziwa. Traditional instruments, including Dohol, Zurna, and Kamancheh, played a central role in celebrations, which have evolved to include modern instruments like the keyboard and guitar. Crafting these instruments locally faces challenges, leading to imports from Turkey. Zurna, crafted from apricot or walnut wood, reflects the rich tradition of the Kochar community.
Instruments
The Saz/Tanbur
A stringed instrument from the long-neck lute family, also known as the Tanbur. The Saz is present in Kurdish, Yazidi, and Turkish cultures and holds significant importance in popular and religious musical heritage. It consists of a sound box, which is often made from walnut or mulberry wood, and a surface made from spruce wood. It has a long stem/neck made from beech wood. The neck/stem is fitted with black frets called “Dasateen” (the Persian word for frets), which are used to mark the positions of the notes. The Saz is fitted with seven strings, which are tied at the end of the neck using metal pegs.
The Kamancheh
A stringed instrument from the same family as the Iranian Kamancheh and the Iraqi Jozeh. However, this form of Kamancheh is particularly known among the Kurds and is considered one of their traditional instruments. The sound box of the instrument is made from apricot or mulberry wood, with fish skin stretched over the surface of the box, and traditionally, deer skin was used. The stem/neck is made from beech wood. The Kamancheh has three strings and is played with a wooden bow.
The Mizmar /Zurna
A woodwind instrument found in many civilizations, particularly in Western Asia and North Africa. Known as the Mizmar or Zurna in Kurdish, it belongs to the family of traditional wind instruments, and it is distinguished by its loud and powerful sound. This instrument has three main parts: the body, which is the longest part and is made from apricot or walnut wood. It is cylindrical in shape, widening at the bottom, and features seven holes for producing notes as well as additional holes at the bottom to amplify the sound. The second part is the double reed, made from cane and tied together with a thin thread. The reeds are short and sharp, and it is the part where the player blows into, being primarily responsible for producing the sound. The third part is the connector between the reeds and the body of the Mizmar. It is cylindrical piece, made of wood or metal, which is narrower than the body of the Mizmar. The reeds are inserted into the top of this connector, which in turn fits into the body of the Mizmar and contains holes for sound production.