The Cult of the Peacock Angel
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE YEZÎDÎ TRIBES OF KURDISTÂN
THE few pages contained in this volume are the outcome of curiosity aroused in myself as to the ancient faith of the little known Yezîdi tribes, based on a visit to their strongholds and amplified by a little research amongst the existing literature on the subject. A certain amount of local gossip has been included and a few deductions drawn from the little information available as to the origin of these remarkable people and their rites, their lives being so far removed from the march of civilization. From a study of the Yezîdî it will be appreciated that the followers themselves of Melak Tâ'ûs, the Peacock Angel, are unable (perhaps unwilling) to throw much light on their ancient history, and that it has been left to Christians and Muhammadans to crystallize certain nebulous theories in connection therewith.
It must, therefore, suffice for us to know that the religion has survived the vicissitudes of at least a thousand years ; and, although the numbers of the Yezîdîs have lately been much reduced, their faith in the worship of the Devil remains serenely unchanged by the conflict of the claims of three of the great world religions which surround them.... | 
