Women as Reflected in Kurdish and Arabic Proverbs

Abstract

As a bridge between the two Iranian and Islamic cultures, Kurdish proverbs play a valuable role in the survival of cultural values. Throughout history and especially after the arrival of Islam to Iran, this language has been associated with the Arabic language, and has exchanged many cultural elements with Arabic culture and language. Given the unique role of women in Iranian and Arabic culture, this study attempts to comparatively investigate the image of women in Kurdish and Arabic proverbs with a historical approach, through a descriptive-analytical method, and based on library resources. It also expresses their common views on women and explores the roots and causes of such views. Based on the findings, the issue of women in Kurdish and Arabic proverbs has both positive and negative dimensions, and, good or bad characteristics are attributed to her each influenced by the type of government, political, social, economic, and cultural conditions, or religious beliefs. Depending on the conditions, there has been a sort of extremism in both Arabic and Kurdish cultures and languages. However, in all circumstances, the constructive role of women in the society has been reflected.

Keywords

• kurdish proverbs
• arabic proverbs
• woman
• iranian-islamic culture
• historical approach