A Song of Resistance: The Battle of Mount Bagok

 

In 1988, near the rugged peaks of Mount Bagok, a fierce battle erupted between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish Army. In this unequal fight, twenty Kurdish freedom fighters fell while defending their land.

 

The Kurdish people, long deprived of institutions to record their history, have turned to music to keep their stories alive. The song honours the courage of those who stood against overwhelming odds. It has become an anthem of Kurdish resilience, known by millions to this day.

 

It is history, resistance, and identity woven into sound. Written in exile by Hozan Dilgeş, who lived and died in Germany, it still burns with the fire of Mount Bagok.

 

Composition & Lyrics: Hozan Dilgeş
Singing & Vocal Improvisation: Hêja Netirk
Beats & Synths: Rico Danta
Percussion: Hogir Göregen
Tembûr: Memo KZK
Drums: Eray Çaylı
Recording, Mix & Mastering: Henning Riez

Kurdisch

Migo Keko, dile mi yane. Dile mi yane.
Serê mi’b qurban, emrê mi’b gorî.
Derdê mi derdekî giran e.
Lo Mihê mi, Mihemedê mi, Miçê mi…
De wer wer wer, ay de wer!

 

Li Mêrdînê li Bagokê
Şer dewam kir şev û rokî
Li Mêrdînê li Bagokê
Şer dewam kir şev û rokî
Bijî bijî şerrê me li Bagokê
Bijî bijî şerrê me li Bagokê

 

Çîyayê Bagokê bi dar e
Leşker lê girt bi hezara
Çîyayê Bagokê bi dar e
Leşker lê girt bi hezara
Li wir bûbû axir dewra
Li wir bûbû axir dewra

 

Li ser serê çend hevala
Li ser serê çend hevala
Heval Delîl bûbû rêber
Xuşka Aydan êrîş kir ser
Çav dil êş û heval hene
Çav dil êş û heval hene

 

Dîrok bi zêr neqişandin
Dîrok bi zêr neqişandin

 

Li Mêrdînê li Bagokê
Şer dewam kir şev û rokî
Li Mêrdînê li Bagokê
Şer dewam kir şev û rokî
Bijî bijî bijî bijî
Bijî bijî bijî bijî
Bijî bijî şerrê me li Bagokê
Bijî şerrê me li Bagokê

English

Brother, my heart burns, my heart burns.
My head a sacrifice, my life devoted to you.
My burden is heavy.
Oh my Miho, oh my Mihemed, oh my Miçê…
Come, come, come, oh come!

 

In Mardin, by the mount Bagok
The battle raged through night and day
Long live our struggle on Bagok

 

The Bagok Mountain, draped in trees
Encircled by thousands of soldiers
An era faded into history

 

Only a few comrades
The leader is Friend Delil
Sister Aydan runs the Battle
There are eyes, heartpain and the comrades

 

They goldened the History
They goldened the History

 

In Mardin, by the mount Bagok,
The battle raged through night and day
Long live our struggle on Bagok
Long live long live
Live live live live
Long live our fight in Bagok

Deutsch

Bruder, mein Herz brennt, mein Herz brennt.
Mein Kopf ein Opfer, mein Leben dir geweiht.
Meine Last ist schwer.
Oh mein Miho, oh mein Mihemed, oh mein Miçê…
Komm, komm, komm, oh komm!

 

In Mardin, beim Berg Bagok
Wütete der Kampf durch Nacht und Tag
Hoch lebe unser Widerstand am Bagok

Der Bagok-Berg, mit Bäumen bedeckt
Von Tausenden Soldaten umstellt
Eine Ära verblasste in die Geschichte

 

Nur wenige Gefährt:innen
Angeführt von Genosse Delil
Schwester Aydan leitete den Kampf
Es gibt Blicke, Schmerz und Kameradschaft

 

Sie schrieben Geschichte – vergoldet
Sie schrieben Geschichte – vergoldet

 

In Mardin, beim Berg Bagok,
Wütete der Kampf durch Nacht und Tag
Hoch lebe unser Widerstand am Bagok
Es lebe, es lebe
Lebe, lebe, lebe
Es lebe unser Kampf am Bagok

Photo Credits: Savaş Boyraz

Gefördert durch die Initiative Musik gemeinnützige Projektgesellschaft mbH mit Projektmitteln der Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien