THE NOMADIC KURDISH TRIBE “DIDÊRÎS” (2015-2025)

Nomadism is a way of life that was seen in the early stages of social development and continues today as a remnant of it.

Kochers are Kurdish nomadic tribes. These three identities make them a special group socio-politically because each of their identities has protected and reinforced the other ones and allowed them to preserve their natural life.

The Kochers have preserved their linguistic and cultural identity better than the settled Kurds.

Kochers, whose main economic activity is animal husbandry, make long journeys between high plateaus and flat plains at the turn of each season. In this way, they are still able to continue their economic activities in a more natural way, compared to those who raise livestock in cities and villages.

Kochers earn their livelihood by raising sheep and goats and selling the meat, milk, oil, cheese, etc. They also earn additional income by shearing the wool of the sheep during the journey and selling it. In the pasture and winter areas, commercial relations are maintained, especially in cooperation with dairy farmers.

The fact that they belong to a tribe puts them in a more advantageous position in their nomadic life, thus facilitating the harsh living conditions of nomadism.

However, this special way of life, which has been going on for thousands of years, has started to crumble in the last 40 years. There are many reasons for this. In the 1990s, due to the intensifying war in southeastern Turkey, the state banned access to the highlands, forcing many nomadic tribes to a settled lifestyle . Other reasons include the high cost of renting highlands and winter pastures, lack of access to health and education services, and the difficulties of young people in finding a spouse.

One of the last representatives of this culture is the Didêrî Tribe. Ninety percent of the tribe, all of whom were once shepherds, chose to settle down in the provinces of Siirt and Batman. The woman, who is the main executive of this life and at the same time shouldering the entire burden of the family, has a say in both social and domestic relations. In nomadic Kurdish tribes based on paternal law, the role of women in the production process is the most important factor that expands the boundaries of this law.

As a result nomadic tribes being forced to settle down, the way of life and economic cycle changed, forcing women to stay at home and care only for children.

In the 21st century, when the capitalist system encompasses everything and everyone, the Kochers can be described as having a free spirit, as a result of not acquiring property, living without dependence and having a minimal relationship with the system. The dwindling number of Kochers are the last representatives of this culture.

This story wants to pass the last tents, free animals and free spirits of the Qîroyî tribe of the Didêrî tribe, who pitched their tent in one phase of history, stayed there and did not want to move on to the next phase, into the future.