Siyabend and Xecê: The Everlasting Tale of Love and Sacrifice

Written by Emir Taha Macit

Siyabend and Xecê, a romantic and tragic Kurdish tale about two enduring lovers from separate societal classes, is a prevalent part of Kurdish folklore. The story has been passed down by Kurdish storytellers called “dengbêj” and has several book and movie adaptations. Though some parts of the story vary, most of it remains intact. Some people call it “the Kurdish Romeo and Juliet.”

The tale starts by explaining the story of Siyabend. Siyabend was born in a poor family that tragically died, leaving him to be raised by his harsh uncle and aunt. His uncle raised Siyabend to be a shepherd. After a while, Siyabend became unable to bear his uncle’s attitude and escaped to Mount Sipan to become a hunter and live on his own.

One day, Siyabend met a beautiful woman named Xecê in one of his village visits. He immediately fell in love with Xecê, who started to grow feelings towards him as well, eventually. Xecê explained that she is the daughter of the village leader (Bey) and she has seven siblings.

After spending some days together and bonding, Siyabend proposed his love to Xecê, and she accepted his proposal. However, right after they asked Xecê’s father for his blessing, everything began to fall apart. Siyabend admitted he is unable to pay the bride price her father asked for, and this caused him to call off the wedding. Crushed by the events, Siyabend and Xecê escaped to Mount Sipan to elope and set up a tent to live in.

One night, while Siyabend was sleeping, Xecê spotted three deer chasing a doe. As curiosity got the better of her, she decided to get closer to them and realized the ugly deer didn’t let the other two deer go near the doe. She glanced at her lover whom she was with despite her father’s attempts, causing a tear to drop on Siyabend’s face, leading him to quickly wake up and ask what happened. After Xecê explained the situation, Siyabend blamed himself for her tears— he was a skilled hunter and still missed some deer next to them. He got up and went after the deer with his weapons. He spotted the deer and got ready to shoot an arrow when another deer came up from behind him and pushed him off a cliff. Siyabend falls to his death, and Xecê, witnessing the death of her lover, jumped off from behind him after saying:

Serê Çiyayê Sipanê tîr e,

Binê Çiyayê Sipanê tîr e.

Kî dîtîye, kî bihîstîye,

Ku gewrê xwe kuştî ye?

(The summit of Mount Süphan is covered in mist,

The base of Mount Süphan is shrouded in mist.

Who has seen, who has heard,

That the prey has killed the hunter?)

The story of Siyabend and Xecê is more than just a tale of love; it shows us how far lovers would go to be with their partner. Even though it has been told in many different ways, this tale remains a beloved and timeless piece of Kurdish folklore.

References:

1. Polat, Edip. Some Legendary Love Stories in Kurmancî Prose. 2015. Academia.edu, https://www.academia.edu/38164421/SOME_LEGENDARY_LOVE_STORIES_IN_KURMANCÎ_PROSE

2. “Siyabend û Xecê.” Batmanburada, 2022, https://www.batmanburada.com.tr/siyabend-u-xece

3. “Siyabend û Xecê Destanı.” Colemerg Haber, https://www.colemerghaber.com/siyabend-u-xece-destani.