Sema
Lalish, nestled amidst the grandeur of the surrounding mountains, Lstands as a sacred sanctuary for Yazidi devotees, a place where the earth itself seems to whisper tales of ancient reverence. Here, amidst the hallowed grounds, pilgrims tread barefoot, their steps cautious and respectful, avoiding even the slightest touch upon doorsteps as they approach the sacred precincts. Lalish is more than a mere temple; it is a realm of sanctity, adorned with myriad sacred sites shrines of holy men, hidden caves veiled in mystery, and springs believed to be touched by the divine.
Yet, among all these revered places, one holds the utmost significance for the Yazidis the sacred waters of Kanya Spi.
According to Yazidi beliefs, the waters of Kanya Spi transcend time itself, predating the very creation of the universe and life. Legends speak of its purity, how during the deluge of Noah’s flood, it remained untainted, akin to milk amidst turbulent waters. Each year, Yazidis gather to collect the water of Kanya Spi, using it to create the yeast for their yogurt and bread, a ritual that links them intimately to the sacred essence of their faith.
Moreover, the baptism of every newborn Yazidi is incomplete without the anointment with the waters of Kanya Spi. It is a rite of passage, a sacrament that binds the child to their Yazidi heritage, infusing their being with the essence of divine purity.
In the tapestry of Yazidi belief, Lalish holds yet another sacred se-cret— the genesis of humanity itself. It is believed that God, in His infinite wisdom, fashioned Adam from the soil of Lalish and the waters of Kanya Spi. A stone, known reverently as Adam’s Stone, stands sentinel before Kanya Spi, a silent witness to the primordial act of cre-ation. Every visitor to Lalish is beckoned to pay homage to this sacred relic, to touch the stone that once cradled the essence of humanity’s origin.
In Lalish, amidst the timeless whispers of the mountains and the gentle murmur of sacred springs, the spirit of the Yazidi people finds so-lace, their faith woven intricately into the fabric of the land. And at the heart of it all, the waters of Kanya Spi flow, an eternal source of purity and divine connection, nurturing the soul of a people bound by faith and reverence.