Xelil Beg: Dersim'de bir Köroğlu

Xelil Beg, the bey (chieftain) of Fêm village in Dersim, was a figure who stood by the people and protected the poor. According to legend, he was killed in a trap set by Mir Şah Hüseyin Bey, who had gained power from the Ottomans. The lament "Xelil Begê Fême," sung after his death, became not only a mourning song but also a narrative of betrayal, the search for justice, and the collective memory of the people, passed down from generation to generation. In this video, Hıdır Çiçek performs this historical lament at Xelil Beg's grave. Çiçek portrays Xelil Beg as a "Köroğlu" (a legendary Turkish hero) who stood by the people, and Mir as a "Bolu Bey" (a powerful figure) who derived his power from the ruling elite. This recording aims to keep alive one of the important narratives that sheds light on Dersim's oral history and memory. #dersim