By Nasrin Chawsheen
LONDON - It is a Facebook page that has garnered close to 105,000 “likes” from across the world and all age groups, but not without controversy.
“Kurdish Vines,” set up by Finland-based Kurd Idris Amiri, has become the ultimate platform for short videos and pictures about Kurds and Kurdistan.
Undoubtedly, the stars of the page are Shlovan Saleh and Peshawa Rashed, two young Kurdish cousins originally from Sulaimani, who create short videos that depict typical Kurdish traits and characteristics, albeit in a comedic manner.
“We started making videos in October 2013,” says Shlovan, 21, who currently works in a hospital. “Vines were very popular, and there was every edition, Spanish, Arab, African and so we decided to make videos for our own people.”
The duo, who both live in Nebraska in the United States, has made some 100 vines. Their videos range from the typical angry reaction of a Kurdish father to comparing the way Americans and Kurds pose for photos. Most of their ideas come from events they have experienced first hand or have heard from others.
“At first, the reaction was crazy, especially from Kurds living abroad, particularly in Europe. It was 99 per cent positive, but there was a lot of criticism back home,” says Shlovan.
Those who were critical felt the two were mocking Kurds and the culture. Others felt their exaggerations were simply not funny. The criticism became so vehement that the pair responded with a six-minute video directly addressing the critics, explaining that their intentions are not to offend people, but to entertain them.
“Some of their videos are funny, but they take it too far,” says Belind Mohamad, a 36-year-old engineer based in Erbil. “We have many stories that the world should know: Halabja, Anfal, but now people will see these videos and think we are all angry and backwards.”
For the majority, however, the videos on Kurdish Vines provide a sense of unity, a way to relate with other Kurds around the world, while also providing some short entertainment.
“I like to entertain those around me and make them happy. Make them forget their problems, even just for a few seconds,” says Kardo Kadir, a 19-year-old student living in the Netherlands who also makes vines.
“I always read the comments to measure the satisfaction of the viewers, which is very positive most of the time. Of course, there are some people who cannot be satisfied,” he adds. “But I do it for the 99 per cent that find it funny.”
One thing becomes very clear to any Kurd who watches these videos: You are not alone. There are others who have gone through the same upbringing, insults and moments as you.
And that is the drawing power of these videos, something that Kurds, particularly in the diaspora, can relate to, amid questions of identity frequently faced by Kurds who have grown up outside of Kurdistan.
“I check out every video that is uploaded onto the page. They’re hilarious. I thought I was the only one who grew up with my dad getting so angry at everything, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one,” says Tara Mustafa, a 20-year-old born and raised in London.
“It is something that brings a bit of joy and you realize it applies to you,” says Najat Haji Gul, a 45-year old businesswoman living in London. “There is more to Kurds, but we can’t just show the good things. It comes down to their intention for making these videos: Is it to make people laugh or do they hate Kurds? I think it is the former, to show we have something in common.”
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