Ten years on from the genocide, Yazidi culture is still absent from Western museums

Shafak intertwines the historical narrative of Assyrian civilization, highlighted by the lamassu, with the contemporary experiences of Yazidi women who survived genocide.

The Yazidi people are virtually invisible in Western museums, a striking absence considering the recent history and trauma they have endured post-2014 genocide.

The British Museum's Assyrian collection is a product of 19th-century excavation, prominently featuring Austen Henry Layard's contributions while neglecting important cultures like the Yazidis.

Elif Shafak's novel sheds light on both ancient narratives and contemporary trauma, emphasizing how fiction can illuminate forgotten histories and the lives of marginalized communities.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events