Quo Vadis Tawusi Melek? The Catchment Areas of the Yezidi Sanjaqs

Abstract

This contribution tries to examine the routes different sanjaqs took, and which two of them still take, on their procession through the territories where Yezidis dwell or once dwelt. Where this is no longer feasible the article indicates at least the areas which were – according to the memory of Yezidis in the diaspora – visited by a sacred image of Tawusi Melek in the past. It further touches upon the rites and ceremonies by which the sacred images are venerated during their journey, and finally briefly discusses possible future arrangements for veneration in the diaspora. The present article does not deal with peacock figurines kept in the possession of individual families or shrines, like the one in the Khazina al-Rahmani mentioned below.