Testing İstanbul’s Waters spin off: Dersim’s Waters

As part of the podcast episode Testing İstanbul’s Waters, impact maker and Dutch politician with Kurdish roots Kıvılcım Özmen shares the stories of her grandmother Besê Diribaş (1915-1996) about the layered meaning of water in Dersim. Eastern Anatolia has been home to many Kurds for centuries. Some continue to live there even after the Dersim massacre (1937-1938).

Slow down, and let this circular tale of belonging cradle you. The original story is by Kıvılcım Özmen; the English narration is by İlke Ercan; and the song Ferfecir is by Metin and Kemal Kahraman. Many thanks to Ayşe Gül Altınay and Gülser İlgan who helped shine a light on Kurdish Alevism.