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Genocide remembrance
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1-1.jpgOn August 3rd 2014 the terror group ISIS killed and captured thousands of Yazidi. In memory of the massacre not least at the Sinjar mountain that day, Yazidis from different parts of the region and the world gathered in Lalesh on August 3rd 2018 in remembrance of the genocide. Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Baba Cawish
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2-1.jpgBaba Cawish is the religious representative that lives permanently in Lalesh together with a few assistants and some volounteers. Being a Baba Cawish, he can not marry and is committed to his tasks in Lalesh for life. The current Baba Cawish calles himself a servant. He is subordinate to the Baba Sheik who is the principal religious leader of the Yazidi, living in a nearby village. In addition to the religious leaders, the Yazidi have a prince (Mir) familiy who are the heads of the Yazidi people. Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Volunteers
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/3-1.jpgIn Lalesh there are a number of volounteers that assist in various religious and practical tasks, and also help in keeping the holy city tidy. Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Traditional male clothing
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/4-1.jpgThis man from a nearby village wears traditional male clothing and head covering. Photo: Steffen Aaland
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The fetils
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/5-1.jpgAs a part of religious rituals, small ropes called "fetil" are dipped in holy oil, lightened and carried to special sites in Lalesh in tribute to or in memory of the saints and angels. In addition to the three major religious feasts in April, October and December, the fetils are lightened twise a week in religious ceremonies in Lalesh. Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Fire ritual
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/6-1.jpgFire is an important symbol in the Yazidi religion, related to the sun which reflects the glory and grace of God. The oil is taken from olive trees surrounding Lalesh, as an expression of the closeness with nature which is important to Yazidis. Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Female feast clothing
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/7-1.jpgThis is a traditional clothing and head covering for Yazidi women during religious and other feasts Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Some Yazidi use head coverings at occasions Photo: Steffen Aaland
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An ongoing genocide
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/9-1.jpgOn August 3rd 2018 it was 4 year since the ISIS genocide on the Yazidi started. In addition to the thousands that are killed and on flight, thousands of Yazidis are still hostages of the ISIS, Many families do not know whether their loved ones are alive or dead... Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Photograph of Ebrahim Saeedi
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/10-1.jpgAs it stands (The spire is central to the Yazidi religion, and is covering all tombs and other main religious buildings. Though many were destroyed by ISIS in 2014, some remains and some are being rebuild.)
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Traditional yazidi music
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12-1.jpgTraditional instruments and music during the pilgrimage week in October, where the memory of the Yazidi reformer Sheik Adi is celebrated Photo: Steffen Aaland
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Spiers
https://www.inclusive-citizenship.no/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/14-1.jpgThe spier is a central symbol in the Yazidi religion. It is a part of tombs and other holy buildings. The top of the spire symbolizes the sun, and the columns represent the 27 hours a day and the 7 days a week and 7 angels. The bottom of the spire symbolizes the earth, and its 4 corners represents the four directions (east, west, north, south) as well as the 4 elements (earth, sky, water, fire) Photo: Steffen Aaland
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