Piercing: Cultural, Religious or Geographical trend?

[raman82]

Do kurdish men pierce their ears and put soorma ( kohl ) ? Some communities in Kashmir do that , the one im from dont but when I was a kid , I had eyeliner lol, the ladies loved it lol . I wear rings (3) ,but for astrological reasons , yellow sapphire since im pisces , amethyst again for Pisces and cats eye amulet on my arm ,its for having smooth success and taking nazar ( bad eye)

[Diri]

Do kurdish men pierce their ears and put soorma ( kohl ) ? Some communities in Kashmir do that , the one im from dont but when I was a kid , I had eyeliner lol, the ladies loved it lol . I wear rings (3) ,but for astrological reasons , yellow sapphire since im pisces , amethyst again for Pisces and cats eye amulet on my arm ,its for having smooth success and taking nazar ( bad eye)

Among Kurds, it has since "ancient" times - in e.g. "times not remembered" been tradition to pierce the ears of their boy child if they only had one - or in some cases if he is the youngest - to protect him from nezer/nazar...

Generally all over Kurdistan, one used turquoise stones or marbles either tied into the childs hair or glued some with gum to the hair... Usually to the front part - right over the forehead.

Some would do this to make the child - what's it called - you know to make the eyes look in two different directions... To make them... What's the name...

You know what I mean? They tied it so that it would be between the eyes - right on the nose - so that the child would get cross-eyed... See what I mean?

My ear is pierced... And two of my brothers have pierced ears too - along with both my nephews... My mom and dad made us do it! Probably for protection etc...

[Evin]

My ear is pierced... And two of my brothers have pierced ears too - along with both my nephews... My mom and dad made us do it! Probably for protection etc...

Wow Diri, I'm amazed to read that, if my husband was to pierce his ear I think his whole family would disown him! He definitely wouldn't dream of wearing jewellry Raman, he even took off the necklace he wears when we went to Kurdistan as he said his family and friends would think him 'feminine'. Here in the UK, he wears a simple necklace and his wedding ring, that's it - no bling and definitely no eyeliner - it's all for me, lol

Thanks for the lovely photos Azade, I can't wait to see the rest when you return, you look lovely Where's your hubby though, is he camera shy?

[Diri]

My ear is pierced... And two of my brothers have pierced ears too - along with both my nephews... My mom and dad made us do it! Probably for protection etc...

Wow Diri, I'm amazed to read that, if my husband was to pierce his ear I think his whole family would disown him! He definitely wouldn't dream of wearing jewellry Raman, he even took off the necklace he wears when we went to Kurdistan as he said his family and friends would think him 'feminine'. Here in the UK, he wears a simple necklace and his wedding ring, that's it - no bling and definitely no eyeliner - it's all for me, lol

Thanks for the lovely photos Azade, I can't wait to see the rest when you return, you look lovely Where's your hubby though, is he camera shy?

Well - being married and single are two different worlds...

I've removed my piercing... And so have my brothers - they feel too old for it now... And one of my nephews removed his now (he's only 5 years younger than me )...

Yes, in extremely conservative or religious families - espcially Kurds from the Hewlêr area (surprisingly I'd say - since they're not the ones one would expect to be all that conservative or religious) - all gold etc. is "haram" for men - and in some circles as you say, it's a sign of femininity - which of course is a very very very "ancient" mentality... People in more rural areas tend to be less tolerant or used to such things as ear piercings and bling bling... There, the "woman" and "man" are more defined and configured than anywhere else...

I wonder what kind of necklace he wears... I mean it has to be very feminine for him to remove it - or perhaps his family and friends are more conservative than I'd expect from somebody who marries an English lady...

[raman82]

see below

[raman82]

Well in ancient times , hell even upto 18th century men wore wearing jewellry and make up in the east , with time people conformed to the more european aesthetic of dressing and women started donning even more make up so it became "feminine" , for dances I wear soorma , eyeliner , i think its bad ass , my eyes look cool and it gives you an edgy look IMO. My great grandad had pierced ears but nobody in my fam does because of our jobs and now earings are associated with wild lifestyles lol , but girls love guys with pierced ears , they go crazy , my cousin sisters thinks it makes your more manly but you have to be scruffy rugid looking to rock it , not a pretty boy , meaning thick eyebrows , heavy jaws and big nose are balanced by the earing . In contemporary kashmiri culture unmarried guys ,wear gold studs in both ears , small gold studs to be exact , it marks you as a "nau jawan mard", meaning your young and virile and handsome , because you cant interact with girls so much its like a message to them secretly , that "IM BRINGING SEXY BACK" lol

[Diri]

Funny description, Raman can...

Thanks for the laugh!

[raman82]

yup Sohrab and your holding it down for Norway LOL ..........where is my pimp chalis LOL??? ..........anyways back to the topic. So how come the Halwer kurds are agaist jewellry whilst other Kurds embrace it ??? Im a bit cofused and how come in some cases getting your ears pierced is supported by families where in other cases it will get you disowned apparently ,esp considering its an old kurdish custom im assuming . Its accepted in my culture ,I just chose not to get it but , I wear rings and a tigers claw (actual one btw..paid 700 bucks for it) gold necklace , which I wear frequently . looks like this

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... 6%26sa%3DN

[raman82]

yup Sohrab and your holding it down for Norway LOL ..........where is my pimp chalis LOL??? ..........anyways back to the topic. So how come the Halwer kurds are against jewellry whilst other Kurds embrace it ??? Im a bit cofused and how come in some cases getting your ears pierced is supported by families where in other cases it will get you disowned apparently ,esp considering its an old kurdish custom im assuming . Its accepted in my culture ,I just chose not to get it but , I wear rings and a tigers claw (actual one btw..paid 700 bucks for it) gold necklace , which I wear frequently . looks like this

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... 6%26sa%3DN

[Barış]

I think it fine to wear jewelry and makeup. Makes men look more sexy.

[Diri]

yup Sohrab and your holding it down for Norway LOL ..........where is my pimp chalis LOL??? ..........anyways back to the topic. So how come the Halwer kurds are agaist jewellry whilst other Kurds embrace it ??? Im a bit cofused and how come in some cases getting your ears pierced is supported by families where in other cases it will get you disowned apparently ,esp considering its an old kurdish custom im assuming . Its accepted in my culture ,I just chose not to get it but , I wear rings and a tigers claw (actual one btw..paid 700 bucks for it) gold necklace , which I wear frequently . looks like this

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... 6%26sa%3DN

Well - I didn't wanna be "rude" - but if you just read my reply to Evin, you'll understand why...

But to put it bluntly: some areas have been more arabized and islamized than other areas... And that should be an adequate reply. Many Kurds have lost a lot of their pre-islamic culture and values. Tribes are the only institutions which have remained intact in Kurdistan for centuries and centuries... The tribes tend to be more loyal to tradition and customs...

[Evin]

Well - being married and single are two different worlds...

I've removed my piercing... And so have my brothers - they feel too old for it now... And one of my nephews removed his now (he's only 5 years younger than me )...

Yes, in extremely conservative or religious families - espcially Kurds from the Hewlêr area (surprisingly I'd say - since they're not the ones one would expect to be all that conservative or religious) - all gold etc. is "haram" for men - and in some circles as you say, it's a sign of femininity - which of course is a very very very "ancient" mentality... People in more rural areas tend to be less tolerant or used to such things as ear piercings and bling bling... There, the "woman" and "man" are more defined and configured than anywhere else...

I wonder what kind of necklace he wears... I mean it has to be very feminine for him to remove it - or perhaps his family and friends are more conservative than I'd expect from somebody who marries an English lady...

It's a funny one Dîrî, you're right in that they're very traditional people but that said, they had absolutely no problem accepting me into their family. I was worried at first but you know what, we're all human and though I might do some things they find 'unusual' (and vice-versa), we respect one another and we have great relationship/s.

They're not overly religious (my hubby certainly isn't) but yes, they're very traditional and jewellry for men is a big no-no, as for eyeliner, OMG I think my father-in-law would die of shock! Being English I find this a little 'old-fashioned' but I respect their beliefs and ways (and they mine), so all's good

Anyway, now that you're an old man and well on you way to being married, you can put the diamonds and kohl away, lol

Btw, the necklace is your standard gold chain, not at all femine, but there was no way on Earth he was going to wear any jewellry in front of his family.... and then there was growing the moustache so as not to upset his Mum (but that's another story and one that has me laughing out loud!).

[Evin]

So how come the Halwer kurds are agaist jewellry whilst other Kurds embrace it ??? Im a bit cofused and how come in some cases getting your ears pierced is supported by families where in other cases it will get you disowned apparently ,esp considering its an old kurdish custom im assuming . Its accepted in my culture ,I just chose not to get it but , I wear rings and a tigers claw (actual one btw..paid 700 bucks for it) gold necklace , which I wear frequently . looks like this

Kurdistan is like any other country Raman, everyone's different! I mean here in the UK some guys wouldn't be seen dead with earrings and make-up whilst others happily walk around in make-up, coloured hair and diamonds in their ears, each to their own! It's the same in Kurdistan, whether you're talking about religion, culture, customs, opinions differ. What Dîrî is very politely trying to say is that some parts of Kurdistan are more traditional and the people more 'old fashioned' in their ways and beliefs.

It would be very wrong to think Kurds are all the same, they're individuals and just like here in the UK or there in the US, beliefs differ greatly, and that's the way it should be, don't you think, I mean how boring would it be if 40 million Kurds all agreed with one another

[Evin]

I think it fine to wear jewelry and makeup. Makes men look more sexy.

I have no objection to jewellry on a man but make-up, I'm not so sure, I prefer my men to look like men, strong and rugged with a couple of days stubble, now that's sexy!

[raman82]

I dont think it has anything to do with islam , if you go to Afghanistan , all the guys have this androgynous look going on lol , they take it to the next level , and im talking strict wahhabist style muslims, and it borders on drag lol. I guess its just depends on people area to area.