As the celebrations for International Women’s Day on March 8 have already begun all around the world, the Circassian, Turkmen women living in the Manbij city of NE Syria will join the celebrations with their own color and traditional clothes. Talîn, a Circassian woman, and Hinai, a Turkmen woman, said they are ready for the celebrations.

DILUCAN BOZÎ

Manbij – Circassian people are one of the peoples who faced massacres and genocides in history. The Circassians are one of the oldest indigenous people of North Caucasus and they were forcibly displaced from their homeland to all around the world. Today, most of them live in Turkey and Caucasia. Some sources say the Circassians were the first people to settle in the Manbij city of NE Syria. They also say the Circassians have lived in Manbij for 160 years. When Daesh attacked Manbij, the Circassians also faced the attacks but after the liberation of the city, they feel relieved. After the defeat of Daesh, the Circassians founded their Lütufkar Circassians Community again and they have carried out cultural and art activities under the umbrella of the community. The Turkmens also live in Manbij. They also founded Turkmen Community after the defeat of Daesh and they have carried out cultural and art activities under the umbrella of the community.

Talîn: We will take to the streets with our color

As the preparations for International Women’s Day continue in NE Syria-Rojava, the Circassian and Turkmen women will also join the celebrations with their colors. Talîn Diyai El-Dîn is one of the Circassian women living in Manbij. Stating that they bought presents for each other on March 8 in the past, Talîn said, “We didn’t know this day was a gifted day to all women around the world. After the defeat of Daesh in Manbij, we began to join the celebrations for March 8 (International Women’s Day).” Talîn also told us that they will join this year’s celebrations with their colors and culture, “We will wear our traditional clothes and we will speak up our demands along with women from other ethnicities.”

Hinai: We are followers of resisting women

Hinai Mihemed is a Turmen women living in Manbij. Underlining that March 8 is the day of rebirth of women, Hinai Mihemed said, “We are followers of resisting women in NE Syria-Rojava. Today, women take part in every sphere of life thanks to the resisting women. Turkmen women also faced the pressures and atrocities of Daesh. After the declaration of the Democratic Nation Project in the region, we have joined all celebrations, and we first joined the celebrations organized for International Women’s Day on March 8. This year, we will join the celebrations with our music and folk dance groups.”