Abstract

In 19th century Yezidi society, women were seen as second class members of the family due to patriarchal family structures, and were married by their fathers in return for a bride price, often against their will. The most important status a woman could attain in Yezidi society was being loyal to her family and managing the household.Women usually had long hair, covered their heads and wore long dresses. Yezidis were very fond of the color red in their dresses and avoided the color blue. Literacy was prohibited both for men and for women. The social status of women remained the same, even in the 19th century, because Yezidi society held on to its traditions. As the Yezidi faith saw literacy as a taboo and prohibited it in the same century, all women remained illiterate.

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