Collection: The British In Iraq - First Time Around: Lees, A T O lees-7-1-3-00005-64164
Description
Photograph of two Iraqi men, one in military uniform, the other wearing an apron. The caption, written by Lt Aubrey Lees, reads: "The mess corporal Hamudi Kasim and my persian 'chef' Hajji Murad. (Hamudi is a yezidi or devil-worshipper. The yezidis who acknowledge Jesus (Isa) as a kindly god and therefore not one to be frightened of, worship Sheitan under the euphemistic title of [Melek] Jaiis (King Peacock) in order to placate him. They regard him as a fallen angel who will eventually regain favour and then show preference for the poor yezidis, who alone among men remained true to him in disgrace." [1922-1925]
Collection
The British In Iraq - First Time Around: Lees, A T O
Description
A collection of photographs relating the service of Lt Aubrey Trevor Oswald Lees in Iraq during the early 1920s, during the British mandate of the territory following the break up of the Ottoman Empire. Lees was employed under the Colonial Office with the Arab and Kurdish Levies in 1922; commanded…
Collection Terms & Categories
- War/Campaign/Operation: Peacetime
- Asia: Middle East
- Theme (Main): Cultures & Customs
- Theme (Main): Daily Life
- Theme (Main): Empire & Commonwealth
- Theme (Main): Ethics, Religion & Morality
- Theme (Main): Natural World
- Theme (Main): Travel & Exploration
- Subject: Animals & The Natural World
- Subject: Armoured Warfare
- Subject: Civilians & Civ-Mil Relations
- Subject: Communications
- Subject: Logistics
- Subject: Nation Building
- Subject: Naval, Sea & Ships
- Subject: Parades, Drills & Manoeuvres
- Subject: Peacekeeping
- Subject: Sport & Recreation
- Subject: Transport
- Item: Photographic (loose)
- Information: Visual
