The Yazidis, who face murderous attacks by ISIS militants, are a Kurdish speaking minority in Iraq, said to number less than half a million. They live primarily in the Lalesh Valley in northern Iraq, 560 km from Baghdad. Members of this ethnic group have migrated towards Syria, Georgia, Armenia, and Europe. Photos: Eric Lafforgue
A painting in the manner of Indian calendar art on the wall of a Yazidi temple in Lalesh, Northern Iraq. The Yazidis, facing murderous attacks by ISIS militants, are a Kurdish-speaking minority in Iraq. Their religion is said to have similarities with Hinduism. They worship Melek Tawwus, or the Peacock Angel.
Road signs in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Yazidi priests In the temple city of Lalesh, Kurdistan, Iraq.
The temple city of Lalesh, Kurdistan, Iraq.
In their temples, Yazidi worshippers make wishes and then throw a scarf around a big rock. If the scarf stays on top of the rock, the wish will be fulfilled. If it falls on the ground, the worshipper has two more chances.
Yezidi worshippers tie a knot while making a wish, at Lalesh, Kurdistan.
Yazidi worshippers untie another knot so that the wish of another believer is fulfilled inside Lalesh.
A baptism pool In Lalesh. A cave houses a sacred spring in the temple of Lalesh. Yazidis spray each other with water and take some to their families.
A Yazidi grave in Lalesh.
A Yazidi woman stands In front of stone olive oil jars in the Lalesh Temple. In the basement of the temple, a long dark room includes dozens of old amphorae containing holy oil used for ceremonies. The oil in the temple is also used to light lamps.
A Yazidi priest inside Lalesh. Arab inscriptions can be found in Lalesh. They are a sign of peace to the Yazidis who have been persecuted by Muslim extremists for quite some time. It is forbidden for a Yazidi to enter a mosque.
Every Yazidi should make a pilgrimage to Lalesh at least once in their life. (Pictured) Family pictures inside the temple.
Luqman Suleeman is a teacher as well as a journalist for the Yazidi website. He allows people to visit the temple for free.
A family from Kanya Spi celebrating the baptism of their child in Lalesh.
1/14
A painting in the manner of Indian calendar art on the wall of a Yazidi temple in Lalesh, Northern Iraq. The Yazidis, facing murderous attacks by ISIS militants, are a Kurdish-speaking minority in Iraq. Their religion is said to have similarities with Hinduism. They worship Melek Tawwus, or the Peacock Angel.
Road signs in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Yazidi priests In the temple city of Lalesh, Kurdistan, Iraq.
The temple city of Lalesh, Kurdistan, Iraq.
In their temples, Yazidi worshippers make wishes and then throw a scarf around a big rock. If the scarf stays on top of the rock, the wish will be fulfilled. If it falls on the ground, the worshipper has two more chances.
Yezidi worshippers tie a knot while making a wish, at Lalesh, Kurdistan.
Yazidi worshippers untie another knot so that the wish of another believer is fulfilled inside Lalesh.
A baptism pool In Lalesh. A cave houses a sacred spring in the temple of Lalesh. Yazidis spray each other with water and take some to their families.
A Yazidi grave in Lalesh.
A Yazidi woman stands In front of stone olive oil jars in the Lalesh Temple. In the basement of the temple, a long dark room includes dozens of old amphorae containing holy oil used for ceremonies. The oil in the temple is also used to light lamps.
A Yazidi priest inside Lalesh. Arab inscriptions can be found in Lalesh. They are a sign of peace to the Yazidis who have been persecuted by Muslim extremists for quite some time. It is forbidden for a Yazidi to enter a mosque.
Every Yazidi should make a pilgrimage to Lalesh at least once in their life. (Pictured) Family pictures inside the temple.
Luqman Suleeman is a teacher as well as a journalist for the Yazidi website. He allows people to visit the temple for free.
A family from Kanya Spi celebrating the baptism of their child in Lalesh.