Rostam the Zal

Mythology forms the foundation of many peoples' history. When Kurdish mythology is discussed, the tales of Ristemê Zal are among the first stories that come to mind. According to traditional beliefs, Ristemê Zal is considered one of the great heroes of the Arsacid era. In Iranian epics, numerous mythical qualities were attributed to him over time. He always stands on the side of good, fights against demons and oppression, and emerges victorious from these battles.

Ristem also holds a significant place in Persian literature after Islam, as well as in classical poetry and Sufi literature. His name became a symbol of courage and heroism. Similarly, in Kurdish narrative literature, he is considered one of the greatest figures of bravery.

Xurşîd Mîrzengî heard three stories about Ristemê Zal from his family and neighbors as a child. These stories accompanied him into adulthood. Years later, during a conversation with a friend in Paris about mythology, Xurşîd spoke of Ristem and his childhood memories. His friend's question – "Did you write these stories down?" – became the starting point for a long journey.

Initially, he wrote down the stories he still remembered. Later, in Europe, he collected fourteen more tales from the Kurdish exile community and published them in 1999. After returning to his homeland in 2010, he embarked on an extensive journey through many cities of Kurdistan – from Nisêbîn to Cizîr, Şirnex, Wan, and Mûş to Diyarbekir. Over more than twenty years, his work "Çîrokên Mala Zal" was created, eventually comprising 45 stories.

Xurşîd Mîrzengî preserved the original content of the narratives, but carefully revised their literary style and adapted the language to a modern narrative approach – making the stories both more powerful and more accessible.