Ehmede Xani (Ahmad-e Khani)

Quick Facts

• Region: Hakkari region (historic Kurdistan)
• Born: 1650, Hakkari region
• Died: 1707, Bayazid
• Known for: Mem and Zin, Kurdish literature and scholarship

Overview

Ehmede Xani was a Kurdish poet, scholar, and intellectual of the 17th century, best known for the epic poem Mem and Zin. His work is widely regarded as a cornerstone of classical Kurdish literature.

He wrote in the Kurmanji dialect and helped establish a literary tradition that continues to shape Kurdish cultural identity.

Life and Work

Xani studied in religious schools across Kurdistan and produced both poetic and scholarly works. Mem and Zin remains his most celebrated work and is often described as a Kurdish national epic.

Legacy

His writings are still read and taught, and his influence is seen in Kurdish poetry, language preservation, and cultural memory.