Hamawand (tribe)

The Hamawand is a Kurdish tribe in Kurdistan Region. In 1908, they rebelled against the Ottoman Empire. During the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), they fought against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant alongside other Kurdish tribes.

Historical significance

The Hamawand tribe is smaller than several Kurdish tribes. However, it has frequently been the pivotal factor in the resolution of disputes and has a highly influential role in the architectural landscape of neighbouring countries and in the perceptions of orientalists. This is particularly evident in the context of self-defence and the refusal to comply with all orders issued by the Ottomans. Even an orientalist such as Edmons, who states that Hamawand is one of the prominent Kurdish tribes, renowned for their military prowess until 1925, are believed to have originated from North Kurdistan in the 18th century, encompassing the present-day territories of Chamchamal and Bazian. Following the Ottoman government's designation of regional governance, the Hamawand tribe's borders were delineated as extending from Shuan in the north to Tokma Mountain in the north, Tawugh Su in the south, Kara Hassan and Shuani Khase in the west, and Tasluja and Ben Zard mountain ranges in the east. The linguistic characteristics of this group are comparable to those observed in the Kermanshah dialect, which is a combination of Hawrami and Zaway Zangana. From the outset, they allied themselves with the Babanis and commenced hostilities against the Ottomans. For this reason, the Hamawands consider him to be the founder of Chamchamal. In his account of the demise of his elder brother Sulaiman Kuekha Rasul, Faqe Qadir makes the following observation in the fifth line:

'Sardar, go to my house. I went to the building in Chamchamal'.

Connections

Following the removal of Abdullah Pasha from the governorship of Sulaymaniyah in the spring of 1850 by order of Abdulkarim Nader Pasha, also known as Abdi Wali, Ismail Pasha of Egypt was appointed to the role. Additionally, Osman, Beg, Qadir Beg and Hassan Beg, sons of his brother Sulaiman Pasha, and several other Babani princes were selected to serve in this capacity. Additionally, 500 Hamvand cavalry members initiated an insurrection against Ottoman authority. Among these rebels was the ancient Chalabi of Hamvand, who constituted one of the twelve cavalry units stationed in Marivan. Following the collapse of the Baban dynasty, Hamvand became a persistent source of resistance for the Ottomans. The displacement of these individuals has been a protracted process. They subsequently crossed the border, proceeding from Zahaw to Qasr Shirin. Both governments have expressed concern about the situation. Nasreddin's eldest son selected Jawamer Agha Hamvand as the ruler of Zahaw. It can be argued that the Hamwands' success in defending themselves against the attempts to centralise the Ottoman state was largely due to their advantageous geographical position, situated as they were in both mountainous and border regions.

A number of successful attacks

In 1874, the Hamwands invaded the south and occupied the border towns, effectively besieging Mandali, an important border city. They were ultimately defeated by the army and other forces and subsequently withdrew, launching several successful attacks northwards as far as the Christian villages at they returned to the vicinity of Bayazid. Following years of intermittent conflict with the Ottoman Empire, It was decided that the Hamwands should be kept at a distance. In 1876, he was ordered by the Sultan to meet with several tribal chiefs in Kirkuk with the assistance of Ismail Pasha's representative. As was customary with all the forces in the region, Hamwand sent 200 horsemen to meet him. He informed them of his intention to meet with the Hamwands and that he had brought them the Sultan's letter. The following day, he informed the Bahamwans of this.

'We want to bring you to Rumadiya and after two years you can go back to your area and you have to bring your families. But if you don't, we will take you to Mosul. They agree and bring their families to all 900 households. But they lie to them and take them on foot to Mosul. They will be imprisoned there for a while. There are four men running away'.

Support

Following a period of 20 years, the Hamwands assembled in Benghazi and resolved to return to their place of origin. After nine months, they returned to Chamchamal on foot with the assistance of an astronomer named Mohammad Ali Ghulam. It is noteworthy that in 1880, Jawameri Hamwand emerged from the Begzadeh clan and established Qasri Shirin as his headquarters. The subjects subsequently returned to Chamchamal. One of the individuals in question is Mahmoud Khadr. Subsequently, they are the ones who persuade the inhabitants of Mosul that these individuals should be removed from the area. Subsequently, they are transported on foot to Adana, Turkey. Subsequently, the group will be separated and dispersed to various locations, including Cyprus, Malta, Rhodes, Greece, North Africa, Algeria, and Tripoli. The process of division was a lengthy one, spanning several years. This one was in conflict with the Ottoman Empire. His relationship with the Qacharis was characterised by periods of peace and periods of conflict. Consequently, the two governments, the Ottoman and Qachar, engaged in diplomatic negotiations, while the Iranian army, under the command of Hussam al-Mallak, and the Ottoman forces, led by Qurt Ismail, were engaged in military operations. Pasha of Diyarbakır, accompanied by the troops from Baghdad, commenced their journey. The Iranian leader, in a deceitful move, summoned Jawari and subsequently killed him, promising reconciliation. Subsequently, the Hamwand tribe withdrew to Karadag. Following the return of some Hamwands from Benghazi, A portion of the Hamwands remained in Turkey. These are the individuals in question. They proceeded to arm themselves and surround Mosul, demanding the return of the remaining territory to Chamchamal. Should they fail to comply, the decision has been taken to destroy Mosul. The request was granted, and the remaining houses in Turkey were also returned. He facilitated their return to Bazian and Chamchamal. This evidence demonstrates that Shaker Fatah wrote in the Chamchamal newspaper in 1946: “Even in times of trouble, they are free and do not know how to bow their heads.'

Leaders

• Jwamer Aga (died 1887)
• Faqe Qadir Hamawand (died ?)
• Mohammad Amin Agha Hamawand (died 1954)

References

4. https://knwe.org/KU/Details/4098