“No Friends But the Mountains”
Chris Bull - 2024
There exists a Kurdish proverb, “ھیچ دۆستێک جگە لە چیاکان,” which translates to “No Friends But the Mountains.” This phrase encapsulates the enduring plight of the Kurdish people, who have long navigated a history marked by betrayal, marginalization, and statelessness. Spread across the rugged borderlands of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, the Kurds—numbering over 30 million—form one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without a nation-state. For generations, they have endured cycles of hope and heartbreak, often courted by foreign powers in times of war and discarded in the calculus of peace.
This proverb is more than a lament—it is a reflection of resilience. In the absence of consistent allies, the Kurdish people have turned to the mountains not only for shelter, but for identity. The harsh terrain, formidable and enduring, mirrors the spirit of a people who have been forced to rely on themselves. The mountains offer protection from invading armies and hostile regimes, but they also offer perspective—a high vantage point from which to view both beauty and betrayal.
This photo essay explores the physical and emotional landscapes shaped by this proverb. It is a visual journey into the lives, memories, and geographies of a people whose story is written into the rocks and ridgelines, whose only constant has been the land beneath their feet.