The Journal of Mesopotamian Studies

Abstract

Due to official restrictions and
prohibitions, Kurdish Language and Literature has experienced great erosion.
Thus, there have been disconnections and disruptions in the language resources,
the vocabulary set and the relation between the language and its background. In
this respect, one of the most prominent people to be mentioned is undoubtedly
Celadet Ali Bedirxan. Not only did he strive for the folkloric richness of
Kurdish language be recorded and hence not be forgotten but also he pioneered
literary studies, compilation, dictionary, grammar and translation studies for
the purpose of keeping the language functional and efficient by operating it. Mehmed
Uzun, who pursued Celadet Ali Bedirxan’s way and efforts, is one of the most
outstanding figures of the 20th century Kurdish Literature. In fidelity to
Celadet Ali Bedirxan and with worries similar to his, he told his life in the
novel Kader Kuyusu (Well of Destiny). In this novel, the word “well”, related
to the life of the hero of the novel, was used with the meaning of both “well”
and “ memory”. Hence, telling the life of a Kurdish intellectual, a
place-memory relation was handled through the word “well”.