Awazê Çiya, one of the prominent voices in the musical sphere of the Kurdistan guerrillas, has won the hearts of millions with works such as Destana PKK, ARGK Rizgarî, Navê Vê, and Serhildan. The group is also known as “The Martyrs’ Group” because they have continued their artistic work in the midst of an active war environment.
After months of working on their new album, the group completed preparations and presented it to music lovers under the title Dara Jiyanê (Tree of Life). The album was produced by Hunergeha Şehîd Zerdeşt and released on 15 August, bringing ten new works from Awazê Çiya to their audience.
The new album of the Kurdish music group can no longer be listened to on Spotify in Turkey due to a court decision.
In its decision numbered 2025/8842, the Ankara 4th Criminal Court of First Instance prohibited the album from being listened to on Spotify pursuant to Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 (Internet Law).
Access to the album was blocked in Turkey after the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority notified Spotify of the court decision.
The stories of the martyrs
The songs on the album focus on martyrs, prisons, the resistance of the people, and the guerrilla struggle. For example, the piece “Hevalno” is about love and longing for comradeship.
In the piece “Azê”, the story of martyr Azê Erdal is told. During the tunnel wars, the comrades beside Azê Erdal were martyred, and he defended his position alone for 40 days, until his bullets ran out.
In the song titled “Honê Ma”, a dialogue is told between a mother and her two children who have joined the revolution. Awazê Çiya member Sêyît Riza Silbûs recounts the story behind the piece as follows: “In Serêkaniyê, I was wounded in the finger. At that time, I met a woman comrade who wanted to go to the front. Her brother was also in the YPG. Later, I went to a house where friends treated my wound. I didn’t know how to play the saz, but I was deeply moved by that story and composed this song.”
The piece “Çiçek” in the album is dedicated to fallen HPG Council Member Çiçek Kurtulan. In the piece “Dara Jiyanê”, the life of Abdullah Öcalan and the prison resistance are told.
Songs about Agir and Şervan
Awazê Çiya also commemorates TEV-ÇAND martyrs Agir Serîhildan and Şervan Erkendî in two separate pieces. The song “Heval Agir” tells the story of Awazê Çiya member, martyr Agir Serîhildan, while the piece “Rêwiyo” portrays martyr Şervan Erkendî.
Şervan Erkendî was from the village of Erkendi, known as the “Martyrs’ Village” in the Sêrt region. Due to pressure from the Turkish state, his family was forced to migrate to Adana. There, he attended training courses organized by the Mesopotamia Cultural Center, receiving percussion lessons. After serving the institution for a long time in this field, he could not remain indifferent to the struggle and joined the movement.
Şervan Erkendî fought in Rojava, the Media Defense Zones, and Botan. He fell as a martyr in Botan, serving as a commander.
The songs express the longing for free seasons
On the CD cover, Awazê Çiya included the following words: “We dedicate this album, Dara Jiyanê, to Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]. Leader Apo once said: ‘In the 70s, we planted a seed in the soil of our homeland. It became a sapling, and it grew every year.’ That sapling became a tree, spreading its branches over Kurdistan, the Middle East, and the world. This album consists of ten songs. We believe the songs in this album will resonate with the emotions of our listeners. The songs express the longing for free seasons and the goal of future success. With faith in free days to come…”