Most Yezidi shrines are instantly recognized by their distinctive fluted spires. The shrines have been built and rebuilt over the ages at special locales honoring revered historical persons or spiritual angels. Sometimes they are found near natural objects such as trees or rocks or springs which have taken on special, often curative, meanings. The shrines serve as places for spiritual renewal and focal points for the community to gather; and, they reinforce much of the inherent strength of the Yezidian society
The Yezidis have an entire vocabulary that distinguishes shrines, holy places, and holy objects. For this collection of photographs I am comfortable using the term “shrine,” or “qub.”
(Because of the current situation I am refraining from giving locations of the shrines, all of which are in Iraq [except one]. R. Leutheuser, September 2014)
