Araden


Araden is an Assyrian village in the Sapna valley. It is located approximately 20-30 kilometers east of the city of Zakho The village of Inishk lies a few miles to the east, and the village of Bamerne is to the west, while Sarsing can be seen to the south. The name Araden means "Land of Eden" in Aramaic. The village is vast, spanning over 18 kilometers and containing more than 150 homes, 3 churches and a cemetery.
Two of the oldest churches in Christianity, Mart Shmoni and Sultana Mahdokht, are located in Araden. A newer church known as Libbat Isho was established in the 1980s as well.

People

Famed Chaldean Catholic Bishop Francis Daoud of Araden was known for bravery and leadership during the Assyrian genocide for helping to save many Assyrians living in Northern Iraqi villages from death through bartering with the Turks and Kurds. He was confirmed a bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church on February 24, 1910, and served until his death on October 1, 1939, and is buried and memorialized in an ancient church in the Dohuk region.

Destruction and attacks

The village of Araden was burned to the ground by 700 government soldiers during the 1960s. The villagers were attacked by irregular Kurds under the leadership of Zabir Muhammad Zebari which resulted in several deaths. Dinkha Eshaya, who was the mayor of Araden, was assassinated in 1981. In 1987, the village was once again destroyed by the Ba'ath regime.

Wildlife

Flora

Most of the village is covered by fruit and nut bearing trees. To the north, higher up on the mountain towards a region of the land called "Gozaneh", large walnut trees grow around one of the springs that comes from the mountain. Loquat trees grow on the land below Gozaneh, along with quince, citron, orange, apple, and lemon trees. Around the residential lands, mulberry, blackberry, raspberry, and plum trees grow towards the lower edge of the village. Down in the valley towards the church Sultana Mahdokht, grows an abundance of pecan trees. However the entire region of Araden is covered in almond trees. The non fruit bearing trees include Cyprus, Cedar, Pine, Oak and spruce. In recent years, the Kurdistan Regional Government has banned the cutting of trees without a license, so these trees are beginning to grow in abundance all over the region.