Religion
Temples, shrines, and holy valleys of the ancient Yazidi faith
Yazidism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, practised predominantly by the Kurdish Yazidi community. Its sacred geography — centred on the holy valley of Lalish — encompasses temples, shrines, and natural features imbued with profound spiritual significance.
The Yazidi faith has survived centuries of persecution, and its sacred sites represent not just places of worship but symbols of cultural survival. Following the 2014 ISIS genocide against the Yazidi people, the preservation of these sites has taken on existential urgency.
Every autumn, tens of thousands of Yazidis journey to Lalish for the Cejna Cemaiya — the seven-day Feast of Assembly. As pilgrims descend into the valley, they enter a world apart: shoes removed, mobile phones silenced, the air thick with the scent of olive oil lamps. In the dim interior of the main temple, families circumambulate the silk-draped tomb of Sheikh Adi, tying coloured cloths to ancient columns and whispering prayers. Outside, children play in the sacred streams while elders share stories beneath the old walnut trees. For a community that has survived 74 documented genocides, the annual gathering at Lalish is more than a religious obligation — it is an act of collective survival.
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For Yazidis, Lalish is the most sacred place on Earth — the spot where the divine light first touched the world. Nestled in a narrow mountain valley in the Sheikhan district of Duhok Province, the Lalish temple complex is the spiritual centre and pilgrimage destination for Yazidis worldwide. Every Yazidi must make a pilgrimage to Lalish at least once in their lifetime.
The complex centres on the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a 12th-century mystic who reformed and codified the Yazidi faith. The distinctive fluted conical domes (qubbas) that crown the temple buildings have become the most recognisable symbol of Yazidi identity. Visitors must remove their shoes upon entering the valley — the entire area is sacred ground.
Within Lalish, sacred springs provide water for baptismal rituals. The Kaniya Sipî (White Spring) is used for the baptism of newborns, while other springs serve different ceremonial purposes. Ancient olive trees in the valley are tied with colourful wish cloths by pilgrims. An olive press within the temple complex produces sacred oil used in rituals throughout the year.
The Sinjar region was home to the largest Yazidi population and contained hundreds of small shrines. During the 2014 ISIS genocide, many were deliberately destroyed. Documentation and reconstruction efforts are ongoing, but the loss of these community shrines represents a devastating blow to Yazidi cultural heritage.