The Ideal Beloved in the Poems of Kurdish Poets of Īlam

Abstract

One of the most important themes in lyrical literature is love with the beloved at the core of this topic. The physical beauty of the beloved has a great effect on the lover, leading to describing the beloved’s body as a common tradition in Romantic poetry. The aim of this study is to investigate and analyze the characteristics of the beloved with a descriptive-analytical method, focusing on contemporary Kurdish poetry of Īlam. The results of my study show that the characteristics of the beloved can be categorized into seven items. The descriptions of the beloved in the poems by the poets of Īlam are both beautiful and diverse, totaling about seventy. The portrayal of the beloved is completely realistic; the poets describe her eyes, hair, lips and breasts, respectively. Particularly notable is the emphasis on the beloved’s big intoxicating eyes which captivate the minds of the Kurdish poets. It is interesting to note that in contrast to Persian poetry which favors dark eyes, Kurdish poetry praises blue eyes more. Other differences are the simple language used in Kurdish poetry with less attention to complex imagery as well as the pleasant and intimate relationship with the beloved in Kurdish poetry compared to Persian poetry which employs a much more complicated language and imagery. In many cases, the lover complains about being neglected by the beloved. Poets in Kurdish poems opt for simple imagery, drawing on elements from their surroundings such as flowers, vegetables, constellations and animals. This choice reflects their lifestyle which includes activities like agriculture, animal husbandry and hunting. Overall, the portrayal of the beloved in these poems reflects a deep appreciation for beauty and nature as well as a connection to traditional Kurdish culture and lifestyle.