The Epic of Dimdim (Kela Dimdimê)
A Kurdish heroic epic based on the historical siege of Dimdim Castle (1609-1610) in the Bradost region near Lake Urmia. The Kurdish leader Emir Khan Lepzerin (Xanê Lepzêrîn, 'Gold-Arm Khan') rebuilt the ancient fortress of Dimdim on a 2,000-meter mountain. The Persian Safavid Shah Abbas the Great, seeing the growing Kurdish power, sent his grand vizier Hatem Beg to besiege the fortress. The Kurds held out for seven years against the Persian army. When Dimdim finally fell, the Persians massacred all defenders. The epic is sung by Kurdish dengbêj (traditional storytellers) and is considered the