Echoes of Survival: The Arameans
“Through sheer determination, he forged a path as a jeweler, turning adversity into beauty.”
You've probably encountered a few Semites in your lifetime (I despise weird race categories, by the way). Maybe some of them are even your friends. Arabs, Jews—the big shots everyone's always buzzing about. But did you know there's another player in this tale? Yep, I've already spoiled it for you in the title: the Arameans. Bet you thought they were extinct, huh? Surprise, surprise—they're still here, kicking around, and they've got quite a story to tell. Of course, you wouldn't know much about them because the world has a knack for brushing aside anything that doesn't neatly fit its Roman Catholic or Protestant preconceived notions.
Back in the day, Aramaic was a big deal—like, Jesus-spoke-it-every-day big. It was the lingua franca across the Middle East, facilitating communication among diverse cultures and empires. Initially spoken by the Arameans, it rapidly spread throughout the region due to trade, conquests, and the influence of the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Empires.
For me, it's not just their religious background that makes the Arameans intriguing. It's their sheer grit and resilience. They're like that pesky weed in your garden that just won't quit. Despite relentless challenges and opposition, they've not just survived but thrived.
Let's hop back through the annals of history, shall we? In the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire unleashed hell on anyone who wasn't Turkish. The Assyrians, a major Aramaic-speaking group, bore the brunt in what's now known as the Assyrian genocide. Between 1914 and 1920, hundreds of thousands were butchered, their villages razed, their survivors driven into the wilderness. And it wasn't just the Turks—armed Kurdish groups collaborated with Ottoman forces, attacking Assyrian villages and partaking in the slaughter. But did the Assyrians throw in the towel? Far from it. They rebuilt, clung to their culture, and refused to be erased.
Jump ahead a few decades to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. The Ba'athist regime wasn't exactly handing out flowers to the Assyrians either. During the late 1980s Anfal campaign, countless Assyrian villages were wiped out, displacing thousands. Yet again, they faced systematic attempts to wipe out their culture and history. Did they disappear into oblivion? Nope. They adapted, found new ways to preserve their identity, and kept pushing forward against the odds.
But the challenges didn't stop there. Many Arameans were forced from their homes due to ongoing conflicts and persecution. They scattered across the globe, seeking refuge in places like the United States, Australia, and Europe. Despite being uprooted, they carried their culture and traditions with them, establishing vibrant communities in their new surroundings. The first generation of Aramean immigrants faced numerous hurdles—language barriers, cultural adjustments, the trauma of displacement—but they held fast to their identity and laid foundations for their children's future.
I have a friend whose father's life embodies the resilience of the Aramean people. Raised in Turkey, he endured beatings and discrimination simply for being himself. His childhood was marked by hardship, including the loss of his sister at a young age, which compelled him to step up for his family. Through sheer determination, he forged a path as a jeweler, turning adversity into beauty. Yet, political pressures eventually forced him to seek a new home that embraced freedom and acceptance. Switzerland or the Netherlands? For him, the Netherlands offered a sanctuary where his Aramean heritage could flourish without constraint. Not that I’m a fan of Dutch politics at the moment, but that’s a different topic altogether.
But hey, if you still need convincing, consider their contributions to history. Ever heard of the Syriac alphabet? It's one of history's most influential scripts, laying the groundwork for Arabic and numerous other writing systems. Aramean scholars of old were pioneers in translating Greek philosophy, shaping both Islamic and Western thought. In fields like medicine, science, and theology, they left a permanent mark. Take Hunayn ibn Ishaq, for example—a renowned physician and scholar of Aramean descent, translating Greek medical texts into Arabic and contributing significantly to medical knowledge.
So next time you're busy applauding the cultural achievements of the Arabs or the Jews, maybe spare a thought for the Arameans. They’re still here, still fighting to be heard in a world that loves to forget. And maybe, just maybe, you'll start to appreciate the unyielding strength and tenacity of a people who refuse to disappear. Highly doubt it, bunch of illiterates. I need a drink.
