Kełle, święte hymny Jezydów

The paper characterizes the oral tradition of the Yezidis with particular emphasis on their sacred hymns (Qewls). In the Yezidi religion, Qewls play a role similar to that of the holy books known in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Because of the strict taboo on literacy, which was in force for centuries, the Yezidi hymns occupy a central place in the transmission of religious lore, they are also the oldest artefacts of the Yezidi poetic, metaphysical, theological and ethical tradition. The article is based on the author’s field research and interviews with the Yezidi experts in religious poetry in Iraq, Turkey and the South Caucasus. The paper is also an introduction to the first Polish edition, translation and commentary of two Yezidi hymns—Qewlê Zebûnî Meksûr and Qewlê Bê û Elîf—which belong to the group of the highly-respected Yezidi sacred hymns.