She carried her pails toward the high pastures where the sheep grazed. She was a , one of the young women who spent their summers in the highlands, living a life of hard work balanced by the freedom of the open mountainside. As she walked, she hummed a melody that had been passed down for generations.
She sang of how love in their village was often a thing of "shame and fear," a "sin" spoken of in whispers. But the mountains gave her courage. Her song became a playful challenge to the young man. She sang for him to come to her house, to ask for her hand properly, and to place a ring upon her finger. Aynur Doğan Ez Keç Im
The song (I am a girl) is a vibrant Kurdish folk classic, famously performed by the world-renowned singer Aynur Doğan . Written by Ebdul Ezîz Sefer with music by Mihemed Şêxo, it is often associated with the traditional character of the Bêrîvan —the young Kurdish milkmaids of the mountains. She carried her pails toward the high pastures
Today, when Aynur Doğan performs "Ez Keç Im" on global stages, she carries the spirit of that village girl with her, turning a simple folk tune into a powerful anthem of Kurdish heritage and female strength. Aynur Doğan - Ez Keç Im | Gotingeh She sang of how love in their village
A young man from a neighboring settlement, a shepherd often called lawiko in her songs, watched her from a distance. To her, he was xwînşêrîn (sweet-blooded) with "lips like honey," yet he was shy, his heart seemingly as firm as a rock.
One afternoon, as the scent of wild herbs filled the air, Aynur sang out clearly, her voice echoing against the stone: "Ez keç im, keça gundan im..." (I am a girl, a girl of the villages...).
Below is a story inspired by the lyrics and the cultural heritage of the song. The Song of the Bêrîvan