Balak (tribe)

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Balak, باڵەک, Balek is an ancient Kurdish tribe[1] living in the former Soran Emirate which is now part of Erbil Governorate in Southern Kurdistan. it is located in the mountainous region of northern Erbil Governorate in Southern Kurdistan. People from the Balak area speak a language that is mixed in the Kurdish Sorani dialect and the Kurdish Kurmanji dialect. Like most Kurdish tribes, the people from the Balak tribe mainly live in mountains. Balak area ranges from Rawanduz district in the southwest, to the Haji Omaran sub-district in the northeast. There are a total two main districts located in Balak; namely Choman and Rawanduz, and five sub-districts: Warte, Smilan, Galala, Qasre and Haji Omaran. It is located 120 km north of Erbil, the capital of the Erbil Governorate and borders Eastern Kurdistan region in Iran.

Choman is considered the capital of the Balak tribe nowadays. Rawanduz was the capital of the Emirate of Soran, which was based in the geographic region of Kurdistan, specifically in what is today known as Southern Kurdistan. The emirate gained its full independence from the Ottoman Empire shortly after its capture from Safavid control in the 1530s. It was later reincorporated into the Ottoman Empire and served as a semi-autonomous vassal state for two centuries. The emirate slowly regained full independence for a second time during the late 18th century and early 19th century, but was once again eventually subdued by Ottoman troops in 1835. The city of Rawanduz served as the capital during most of its reign.[1]

During his travels across Kurdistan in October and November of 1836, Major Rawlinson observes that the Mîr of Rawanduz, Muhammad Pasha, brought tribesmen under his sway and conscripted a male from each family into his service as was his usual custom, and that the Balak tribe contingent proved to of great service to him.[2]

The Name[]

The name of the Balak tribe came from the area that they inhabit.[3] The earliest mention of Balak tribe comes from a 14th century book, , authored by the Arab geographer Ibn Fadl Allah Al-'Omari, the name Balak is said to be derived from Balakan village[4] in Northern Kurdistan. Balakan means "Home of the Balaks". The Balaks are also mentioned by the Ottoman Sharif Pasha who writes in his report that some clans of the Balak reside in Zooka and Mashkan regions of Northern Kurdistan. The Balak Tribe are also mentioned in the Seyahatname by Evliya Çelebi.[3]

Notables and Tribe Rulers[]

Leaders and notables from Mala Sharafi Clan (Balak)[]

  • Landlord and Chief of Balak tribe. 17th Century.[3]
  • (1951 - 1991) The most popular leader of the Balak tribe, commander of the 33rd Regiment and the 48th special detachment of the Iraqi Army (estimated to be nearly 6,000 soldiers). Due to continuous support and aid for the KDP and PUK Peshmergas through weapons, equipment, money, and medical supplies. He was caught, imprisoned, and was sentenced to death, but was eventually granted a presidential pardon and ended up serving two years in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison. After being released, through his strong connections and relations with the KDP leadership, he rejoined the Peshmerga and participated in the uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime. On March 11, 1991 after serving in numerous heroic battles in Erbil, in which he captured Pirzin and Shaways from the Baathist forces. He died during an ambush on convoy on the way to the Citadel of Erbil and the rest of his forces were either wounded or killed in action. His legacy still lives on in the Balak tribe, he’s often named the charismatic irreplaceable leader and he still hasn’t been replaced to this day.[5]
  • (Died in 1952) Balak's most powerful Leader. Established good relations with both the British Government and the King of Iraq. He became a member of the Iraqi Parliament in 1938.[6]
  • Shemhamad Balak, prominent Peshmerga commander, former Politburo member of PASOK.[7]
  • (1950-1994) Prominent Peshmarga Leader in Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. He was assassinated by the KDP on 17 May 1994.[8]

Other notables[]

  • , a leader of the Suhrawardiyya Sufi order in the 17th century.[9]
  • (1960) Senior Advisor of President Barzani [10]
  • anchorman.[11] at Rudaw TV and 24/7 Kurdish News Channel[12]
  • ,the chief that left the Rustaye, Ballakayate areas in 1930 to live in the Erbil.

References[]

  1. ^ a b McDowall, David (2004-05-14). A Modern History of the Kurds. ISBN 9781850434160.
  2. ^ Ghalib, Sabah Abdullah (2011-10-13). "The Emergence of Kurdism with Special Reference to the Three Kurdish Emirates within the Ottoman Empire 1800-1850": 108. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ a b c عبلس العزاوى. عشائر العراق. الجلد الأول. جزء 1-2. مكتبة الحضارات، بيروت لبنان. ص 312.
  4. ^ "Masālik al-abṣār fī mamālik al-amṣār | work by ʿUmarī".
  5. ^ {{cite web| http://iraqicparchives.com/index.php/sections/objekt/26073-1978-1989-20.
  6. ^ Iraq and Rupert Hay's Two Years in Kurdistan, By Paul J. Rich Pages 140, 155, 176, 177, 180, 199, 205, 208, 233,
  7. ^ "پێشمەرگەکانی پاسۆک".
  8. ^ "شەھیدی سەرکردە حەسەن کوێستانی (١٩٥٠-١٩٩٤)". Archived from the original on 2014-05-31.
  9. ^ "General Board of Tourism". kurdistantour.net. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014.
  10. ^ Editorial Staff (2017-02-11). "Senior PUK official Azad Jundiani resigns in Iraqi Kurdistan". Kurd Net - Ekurd.net Daily News. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  11. ^ کوردیپێدیا, Kurdipedia -. "هێمن عومەر سادق - هێمن مەلازادە". Kurdipedia.org.
  12. ^ http://rudaw.net/english/about
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