Mythology is the collective memory of the societies that created it. The memory of a people contains their historical, cultural, traditional and folkloric values, as well as all aspects of their lives. This memory is passed down from generation to generat
Mythology is the collective memory of the societies that created it. The memory of a people contains their historical, cultural, traditional and folkloric values, as well as all aspects of their lives. This memory is passed down from generation to generation. Along with this, figures and symbols are also created, which together become the codes of that people and that society — directly linked to the foundation of their existence.Occupation is not merely the occupation of a country, but in every way and form the annihilation of the memory, beliefs and truth of the people and society that has been occupied. On this basis, and throughout the history of occupation, many of our truths and ancient symbols have been severed from their original context, turned upside down, degenerated and destroyed. This process is not simply about changing a story, but is also an intervention in the collective memory and cultural identity of peoples. One of the most striking examples of this situation, which in recent times has been turned upside down with cheap lies and low-quality, cheap Turkish TV series, is the figure of Shahmaran. Shahmaran is one of the oldest and most fundamental symbols of Kurdish mythology.
Shahmaran – Shahê Maran
In Kurdish culture, the figure of the snake has not only been seen as an element of a tale, but has been accepted as a sacred being and a symbol of life. Shahmaran is, in Kurdish culture and belief, a symbol of blessing, protection, healing and knowledge. This has been the case for thousands of years. Images of snakes can be seen on the door of the holy Lalish, as well as on the 12,000-year-old T-shaped pillars at Göbekli Tepe (Girê Mirazan). All of these are historical and archaeological evidence of this sanctity.
Cultural Manipulation and Historical Memory
In recent years, the forced linking of Shahmaran with Tarsus and its artificial blending with the story of “Lokman Hekim” has become a clear example of the manipulation of cultural heritage. The aim is to sever this symbol from its historical roots and original context. Restricting Shahmaran to a geographical framework and an imaginary story is an attempt to erase its thousands of years old Kurdish identity and present it as rootless — or, based on these lies, to claim ownership over it.
In Kurdish homes, the figure of Shahmaran is hung on the walls as embroidery, painting or image and is preserved as a cultural heritage. It is believed that this figure brings blessing to the home and protects the family. Details such as the figure’s legs being made of snakes, the crown, and the small snakes on its head are fundamental symbols that represent its original iconographic structure.
The lie that connects it with Lokman Hekim is a cheap attempt to distort this deep and comprehensive mythological structure, reducing it to a simple and shallow story and diminishing its historical and cultural significance. Moreover, no person named “Lokman Hekim” ever existed in history. There is no evidence of the existence of such a person in any sources. He is only mentioned in Surah Luqman (31) of the Quran, where he is said to have received certain qualities from God and gave good advice to his son. Who he was, where he lived, when he lived, or whether such a person actually existed — or whether he appears in the Quran merely as an example or symbol — is not clear.
The Struggle Against Cultural Disinformation
Twisting, secretly stealing and claiming ownership with lies over values, culture, language, traditions, history, stories, proverbs, riddles, folklore, mythology, personal names, plant names, place names, and altering them, are among the most important and advanced methods of the assimilation policies of occupying powers. As seen in the example of Shahmaran (Shahê Maran), severing a figure from its roots is in reality an intervention in the historical memory of the people who created it. Spreading such stories based on lies and manipulations — whether consciously or unconsciously — means collaborating with this cultural destruction. The correct stance is to resist and speak the truth.
Therefore, Shahmaran should not be seen merely as a figure, but as the ancient collective memory of a people that cannot be separated from its truth. Protecting the academic and cultural accuracy of mythological stories is a fundamental duty in safeguarding cultural heritage.
This action is not only a distortion of the mythology and the true meaning of Shahmaran, but at the same time a distortion of our roots and a breaking of our social codes that, over thousands of years, have become the colour, form and way of life of the Kurdish people. Today, our names, our proverbs, our traditions, our folklore, our language, our music and our mythology are being altered in every way by institutions that want to cut history like fabric according to their own wishes. They are decorated with cheap lies and presented as “their own.” They want to steal our symbols and blind our collective memory. But it should be known that culture is not merely something material; it is the soul and the codes of peoples. Every story, every riddle and every song of ours is a witness to this ancient land. We are not only resisting the theft of a history; we are also resisting those pens that try to bind our identity solely through “fake compromises”!