Researchers at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia are on a mission to reconnect the Yazidi community, a religious minority from northern Iraq, with their lost history. This initiative involves linking photographs taken in the 1930s of the Yazidi people with their descendants, many of whom were affected by the devastating attacks from the Islamic State (IS) in 2014.

In the 1930s, archaeologists studying ancient civilizations in northern Iraq took numerous black-and-white photographs of the Yazidis as they documented their daily lives. These images, which were recently rediscovered, provide a glimpse into the rich culture of a community that faced immense suffering during the IS attacks, which the United Nations classified as genocide.

One notable photograph that captured the attention of University of Pennsylvania doctoral student Marc Marin Webb was of a Yazidi shrine that was destroyed by IS extremists. This prompted Webb and his team to search through museum archives, leading to the recovery of nearly 300 photographs that represent the Yazidi people's heritage.

The impact of the IS attacks was profound, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the dislocation of many more. Ansam Basher, a Yazidi teacher now living in England, expressed her joy upon seeing photographs of her grandparents' wedding day from the 1930s. “I never thought someone my age could lose their history due to the ISIS attack,” she said, reflecting on her family's lost memories.

The researchers aim to present these photographs to the Yazidi diaspora through exhibitions and digital formats. Nathaniel Brunt, a postdoctoral fellow, emphasized that these images serve as a form of resistance against the destruction wrought by IS. The first exhibitions were held during the Yazidi New Year celebrations, symbolizing a restoration of memory and heritage.

These photographs not only depict Yazidis in their daily lives but also highlight their resilience as a community. Basher noted that sharing these images on social media helps to educate others about the true nature of Iraq, contrasting the images of violence that often dominate public perception.

With their efforts, Webb and Brunt hope to preserve and promote the culture of the Yazidi people, ensuring that their history is remembered and celebrated.