The Tragedy of the Pepûk / Cuckoo
Once, there were two siblings. After their mother died, their father remarried a cruel woman who often beat and frightened them. One day, she sent them to the mountains to gather kenger (a wild vegetable).
They filled a bag with the plants, carried by the little boy. By evening, the bag was empty. The sister blamed her brother, thinking he had eaten them.
He pleaded, “If you don’t believe me, open my stomach and see yourself.”
She did — and saw it was empty.
But it was too late. The boy had died. Overcome with guilt, the girl cried to God:
“Please, turn me into a Pepûk bird, so I may fly through these mountains and forever call out for my brother.”
That night, her wish was granted. She became a Pepûk bird, perched above his grave, wandering the mountains, mourning him with every cry.
In Kurdish culture, “Pepû” has come to express deep sorrow — an exclamation of grief used only by women.
Composition: Hêja Netirk & Carlos Andrés Rico
Beats & Synths: Rico Danta
Singing and Whispering: Hêja Netirk
Drums: Eray Çaylı
Recording, Mix & Mastering: Henning Riez
