The Yazidi people have a rich, complex and turbulent history - and yet their culture is full of unique traditions, beliefs, and practices.

Join us for this episode and discover the traditions of this ancient culture.

References used in this show

The following books and articles have been used to assist in the production of this show. Please help our show and click on either of the links to purchase the book(s).

• Shadow on the Mountain: A Yazidi Memoir of Terror, Resistance and Hope - Shaker Jeffrey’s life is a testament to bravery and resilience. Raised in Iraq, he learned English from American troops and became a **combat interpreter** for the U.S. government at a young age. When ISIS attacked his Yazidi community, he narrowly escaped and began working as a vital link between trapped civilians and the military. Disguising himself as an ISIS fighter, he led daring missions to rescue over **1,000 civilians**, including enslaved Yazidi girls. Despite his incredible efforts, he could not save his fiancée. His story highlights the human cost of conflict and the extraordinary courage found in adversity.
• The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity and My Fight Against the Islamic State - JOINT WINNER OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE Nadia Murad’s memoir recounts her harrowing journey from a peaceful Yazidi childhood in Iraq to surviving ISIS captivity and rebuilding her life in Germany. After losing six brothers and her mother, she refused to be silenced, becoming a global advocate for survivors of human trafficking. As a **Nobel Peace Prize winner**, a subject of *On Her Shoulders*, and the **UN's first Goodwill Ambassador for Survivors' Dignity**, her story is one of resilience and hope. Through courage and testimony, she sheds light on atrocities while inspiring action for justice and human rights worldwide.
• Land Between the Rivers: A 5000-Year History of Iraq - Bartle Bull's *Land Between the Rivers* explores Iraq’s 5,000-year history, from Gilgamesh’s reign to the 1958 coup. The book highlights Iraq’s role as a crossroads of civilizations, shaping global culture, religion, and politics. Bull combines meticulous research and firsthand experience to examine how the region has balanced tradition and power, humanism and conflict. The work is praised for its depth, ambition, and narrative brilliance, offering insights into Iraq’s legacy, from Babylon’s influence to the Sunni-Shia divide. Acclaimed for its storytelling, it presents Iraq as a vital force in history, shaping ideologies and civilizations throughout the centuries.
• The plight of the Yazidi people - Video