In response to the systematic oppression of the Kurdish language and culture in Turkey, educators at Ma Music Academy stressed the significance of mother tongue music as a form of defiance.
Ma Music Academy, a Kurdish initiative based in Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeastern Diyarbakir (Amed) province, offers a sanctuary for the preservation and promotion of Kurdish linguistics and cultural activities through music education and various artistic programmes.
Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency’s Eylem Akdağ on the eve of 21 February International Mother Language Day, tutors from the academy stated, “If a child can sing in their own language, it represents a significant blow against the fascism trying to erase their identity.”
The statement comes amid ongoing denial policies towards the Kurdish language in Turkey, with the Kurdish community continuing to fight against what they term “cultural genocide” and linguistic suppression, including the banning of Kurdish concerts and plays.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has intensified these pressures in Kurdish-majority regions, notably deposing elected pro-Kurdish mayors and municipal council members and replacing them with government appointees, or ‘trustees’, leading to the imposition of monolingual practices and the closure of Kurdish cultural and artistic institutions.
The Aram Tigran City Conservatory, opened in 2010 under the administration of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality, was shut down by an appointed trustee in 2016. In response to the closure, conservatory educators, determined not to leave the nation’s children without music, established Ma Music Academy on 4 March 2017.
During the last six years, the academy has launched significant initiatives, including a Women’s Choir, Children’s Choir, MA Orchestra, Natural Rhythm Orchestra, Zarok Ma and Dengbêj Academy, under the motto “Music for everyone, everywhere.”
Evin Tiryaki and Ferhat Ertaş from Ma Music discussed preparations for International Mother Language Day and the importance of music in one’s native language.
Ertaş pointed out that the existence of International Mother Language Day itself indicates a policy of denial against all nations. He emphasised the struggle of every nation for language rights and the efforts of Kurdish artists and educators to pass on their language to future generations.
Ertaş also highlighted the role of Kurdish music in preserving the language for future generations and creating a cultural memory. He stressed the importance of resisting assimilation policies, especially those targeting children, by lowering the age range of their educational programs to 0-5 years.
The academy’s work serves as a bridge between generations, drawing inspiration from Kurdish cultural figures and reaching millions through Kurdish music. “Today, if a child can sing in their own language, it’s the greatest strike against the fascism trying to annihilate us,” Ertaş reiterated.
Evin Tiryaki addressed targeted assimilation policies against the Kurdish language, especially regarding children. Tiryaki shared how their work keeps the mother tongue alive by offering both music and Kurdish language lessons. Children who do not initially speak Kurdish have overcome the challenges of learning a language with time and effort, she said.
Tiryaki also highlighted the crucial role of women in mother tongue education, working in solidarity to resist the intense pressure on the Kurdish language.