Pira Merd
(1867-1950)

Piramerd, born Tawfeq Mahmoud Hamza in 1867 in Sulaymaniyah, was a prominent Kurdish poet, novelist, writer, and journalist whose work greatly shaped modern Kurdish literature and culture. Traveling widely across Kurdistan, he immersed himself in Kurdish poetry and folklore, developing a distinct literary style that blended tradition with innovation. Among his most famous works is the poem Nawroz, which remains a beloved chant during Kurdish New Year celebrations. In 1926, he became editor of the Kurdish newspaper Jîyan, using the press to promote Kurdish literature, cultural awareness, and identity. Beyond journalism, Piramerd contributed to education by founding Pertûkxaney Zanistî (the Scientific School), a private Kurdish institution in Sulaymaniyah that emphasized learning in the Kurdish language. Through his poetry, journalism, and educational initiatives, Piramerd nurtured Kurdish national consciousness during a critical period of cultural revival. His dedication helped establish the foundations of the Central Kurdish literary tradition, and he is widely recognized as a pioneer of modern Kurdish literature as well as a key figure in the early 20th-century Kurdish nationalist movement. Piramerd passed away on June 19, 1950, and was buried on Mameyare Hill in Sulaymaniyah, a site of enduring respect and remembrance. His legacy lives on in Kurdistan through his poetry, contributions to the press, and efforts to advance Kurdish education, all of which left a profound and lasting impact on Kurdish cultural and national history.