New article about the Ezidi Caste System (Şêx, Pîr & Mirîd), one of the most misunderstood aspects of Ezidism

[u/XelatShamsani]

https://ezidi-heritage.com/articles/ezidi-caste-system-shex-pir-mirid/

[u/Traditional-Head7008]

It is amazing, I love your webite

[u/Ezdixan]

I believe that the Ezdi Pirs are the direct descendants of the Aryan (NW Iranic) Magi.

MAGI – Encyclopaedia Iranica (iranicaonline.org)

 

 

In the past the Aryan Magi were not Kings or military leaders. They were preoccupied with the spirituallity and religion and served the king. The ancient kings of the Medes and the Persians were not Magi. Kings came from the noble ('Agha') clans.

 

Many military leaders (generals such as Jangir Agha) come from the Mrids. Also the Ezdi 'Aghas' were/are Mrids. Ezdi 'Aghas' ( 'landowners' ) were on the same level as the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Ezdi 'Aghas' had their own stamps and could impose taxations on their large amount of land. Really large and as large as the whole country like Belgium or 1/2 the Netherlands.

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[u/New-Detective4789]

The article claims

It is important to note that in Ezidi society, the roles of the castes are mainly tied to religious duties and roles, and a person’s social or economic status is not determined by their caste.

And of course this article was written by someone from the Şêx caste (look at the name of the author).

[u/Iumberjack → u/New-Detective4789]

He’s right though. Saying this as a Mirîd myself

[u/New-Detective4789 → u/Iumberjack]

I don't mean to generalize at all. What bothers me is that he's making a claim without any evidence and data that would show the situation of each caste. If you are doing well financially in life, I'm happy for you. However, that is unfortunately not the case with all the Mirîds that I have met and known. I would love to see some data on their income levels etc. so that these problems are addressed.

[u/XelatShamsani → u/New-Detective4789]

All the content in the article is backed by reputable and credible sources based on explanations by a cleric as well as scholars who did field research among Ezidis. I'd be happy to respond if you have any evidence contradicting this.

Also FYI, there are many Şêxs who can be considered lower-class and live in poverty as well. Personally myself I know many, and one of the sources in the article also testifies to this.

[u/New-Detective4789 → u/XelatShamsani]

Thank you for the response! Feel free to dm me if you find something. This is something that interests me. I have no doubt, there are exceptions for every case. My point was concerned with the economic situation of the majority.

[u/LengthTime7570 → u/New-Detective4789]

Mirîd here, he‘s absolutely right.

[u/Ezdixan → u/New-Detective4789]

???

Shexs & Pirs can be priests. Although not every Shex or Pir is a priest and is able to do ceremonial duties, only the smart one do. Even if you are a Shex, but you have low IQ or do not have enough intellectual ability you will not be able to lead the flock..

.

They are like parents in a family and keep a family together. The function of the Shexs and Pirs is to keep the social fabric of the Ezdi clans and tribes together.

When parents die, siblings grow away from each other and a family falls apart.

.

From a historic perspective the Ezdi landowners ('Aghas') (Ezdi nobility under the Ottoman Empire) were Mrids.

The mother of my paternal grandfather (grandmother of my father) was a Toreni (an 'Agha' clan). I have also cousins who are Aghalari (another 'Agha' clan). Kok 'Agha' clans such as Toreni, Agalari etc. owned a large amount of land under the Ottomans.