List of Kurdish poets and authors facts for kids

A list of Kurdish poets and authors is like a hall of fame for amazing writers from the Kurdish people. These talented individuals wrote poems, stories, and important books over many centuries. They helped share Kurdish culture and history through their words.

Early Kurdish Writers: 9th to 15th Century

Kurdish literature has a long history, with some of the earliest known writers appearing over a thousand years ago!

Voices from the Past

• Balool was an early writer from the 9th century.
• Evdilsemedê Babek (972–1019) was an important figure from the 10th century.
• Ali Hariri (1009–1079/80) was another significant writer from this early period.
• Mele Perîşan (1356–1431) wrote during the 14th and 15th centuries.
• Mela Huseynê Bateyî (1417–1495) was a writer from the 15th century.

Golden Age of Kurdish Literature: 16th and 17th Centuries

The 16th and 17th centuries were a very important time for Kurdish writing, with many famous poets and authors.

Poets and Thinkers

• Sherefxan Bidlisi (1543–1599) was a well-known writer.
• Şêx Şemsedînê Exlatî (1558–1674) also contributed to literature.
• Melayê Cizîrî (1570–1640) was a famous poet.
• Asenath Barzani (1590–1670) was a notable female writer.
• Feqiyê Teyran (1590–1660) was another important poet.
• Yusuf Yaska (1592–1636) also wrote during this time.
• Elî Teremaxî was a writer from this period.

More Great Writers of the 17th Century

• Mistefa Bêsaranî (1642–1701) was a poet.
• Ahmad Khani (1651–1707) is one of the most famous Kurdish poets. He wrote the epic poem Mem and Zin, which is a classic of Kurdish literature.
• Shaykh Mustafa Takhtayi was another writer from the 17th century.

Enlightenment and Revival: 18th and 19th Centuries

In these centuries, Kurdish literature continued to grow, with new styles and important historical writings.

Poets and Historians

• Khana Qubadi (1700–1759) was a classic poet from southeastern Kurdistan, Iran.
• Almas Khan-e Kanoule'ei (1706-1777) was a classic poet and author of the Kurdish Shahnameh, a famous epic.
• Marif Nodeyi (1753–1838/9) was a writer.
• Xelîlê Sêrtî (1754–1843) also wrote during this time.
• Khulam Rada Khan Arkawazi (1765-1834) was a classic poet from southeastern Kurdistan, Iran.
• Khâlid-i Shahrazuri (1779–1827) was a significant figure.
• Şeyda Hewramî (1784–1852) was a poet.
• Mahmud Bayazidi (1797–1859) was a writer.
• Nalî (1797/1800–1855/6) was a very influential poet.
• Yaqub Maydashti (1799–1871) was a classic poet from southeastern Kurdistan, Iran.

Important Figures of the 19th Century

• Mastoura Ardalan (1805–1848) was an amazing female poet and historian. She wrote about history, which was very unusual for women at that time.
• Mawlawi Tawagozi (1806–1882) was a poet.
• Haji Qadir Koyi (1817–1897) was a well-known poet.
• Mahwi (1830–1906) was a poet.
• Sheikh Rezza Talabani (1835–1910) was a poet from Iraq.
• Wafaei (1844–1902) was a poet from Iran.
• Edeb (1860–1918) was a poet from Iran.

Modern Kurdish Literature: 20th Century

The 20th century saw a great rise in modern Kurdish literature, with new styles and a focus on journalism and language development.

Pioneers of Modern Kurdish Writing

• Piramerd (1867–1950) was a poet, writer, novelist, and journalist from Iraqi Kurdistan. He helped shape modern Kurdish writing.
• Muhamed Amin Zaki (1880–1948) was a writer, historian, and politician from Iraqi Kurdistan.
• Taufiq Wahby (1891–1984) was a writer and linguist from Iraq.
• Celadet Bedir Khan (Celadet Alî Bedirxan) (1893–1951) was a linguist, journalist, and politician. He is famous for creating the Latin-based Kurdish alphabet, which is used today.
• Nuri Barzinji (1896–1958) was a poet from Iraqi Kurdistan.
• Arab Shamilov (Erebê Şemo) (1897–1978) was a writer and novelist from Armenia.
• Rafiq Hilmi (1898–1960) was a writer, literary expert, and politician from Iraq.
• Muhammad Wali Kermashani (1901-?) was a poet from Iran.
• Cigerxwîn (Cegerxwîn) (1903–1984) was a very important poet and writer from Turkey/Syria.
• Abdulla Goran (1904–1962) is known as the father of modern Kurdish poetry from Iraqi Kurdistan. He changed how Kurdish poems were written.

More Influential Writers

• Osman Sabri (1905–1993) was a poet, writer, and journalist from Turkey/Syria.
• Emînê Evdal (1906–1964) was a writer and linguist from Armenia.
• Alaaddin Sajadi (1907–1984) was a writer, poet, and academic from Iraqi Kurdistan.
• Hecîyê Cindî (1908–1990) was a writer, linguist, and researcher from Armenia.
• Qanate Kurdo (1909–1985) was a writer, linguist, and academic from Russia.
• Qedrîcan (1911–1972) was a poet and writer from Turkey/Syria.
• Ibrahim Ahmad (1914–2000) was a writer, novelist, and translator from Iraqi Kurdistan/England.
• Dildar (Yonis Reuf) (1917–1948) was a poet from Iraq.
• Nûredin Zaza (1919-1988) was a writer and publisher from Turkey, Syria, and Switzerland.
• Hejar (Abdurrahman Sharafkandi) (1920–1990) was a poet, writer, translator, and linguist from Iran.
• Hemin Mukriyani (Hêmin Mukriyanî) (1921–1986) was a journalist and poet from Iran.
• Ahmad Hardi (1922–2006) was a poet from Iraqi Kurdistan/UK.
• Karim Hisami (1926–2001) was a writer from Iran/Iraq/Sweden.
• Muhamad Salih Dilan (1927–1990) was one of the founders of modern Kurdish poetry.
• Shamil Asgarov (1928–2005) was a poet, researcher, and translator.
• Emerîkê Serdar (1935-2018) was a journalist, writer, and translator from Armenia.
• Mahmud Baksi (1944–2001) was a writer and journalist from Sweden.
• Abdulla Pashew (1946- ) is a contemporary poet from Iraqi Kurdistan/Sweden.
• Shami Kermashani (1927-1984) was a poet from southeastern Kurdistan, Iran.
• Malak Jân Nemati (1906-1993) was a mystical writer and poet from southeastern Kurdistan, Iran.
• Khider Kosari (1969–1993) was a poet from Ranya, Kurdistan.
• Faryad Shiri (1971- ) is a poet from southeastern Kurdistan, Iran.

Contemporary Kurdish Writers: 21st Century

Kurdish literature continues to thrive in the 21st century with new voices and stories.

New Voices in Kurdish Literature

• Bachtyar Ali (1960) is a well-known Kurdish writer and poet.
• Sara Omar (1986-) is a contemporary author, novelist, poet, and human rights fighter. She is known as the first internationally recognized Kurdish female novelist from Kurdistan.
• Abdullah Öcalan is an author.
• Selahattin Demirtaş is an author.

See also

• List of Kurdish scholars