RUBAR
We were introduced to Rubar and her husband, singer and folklorist Ali Tekbaș, through a colleague of Rubar’s from work. Having met her in a restaurant in the evening, she instantly felt to us like a peer and a friend. She spoke eloquently with impressive, self-taught English.
We interviewed Rubar in her home, an apartment she and Ali had moved to shortly after their wedding. She spoke to us of her childhood in Yüksekova, Hakkari, where she had grown up and lived until leaving home to attend university.
Rubar had no memories of her mother from her early childhood, but shared a story that her grandmother had often told them when they were children:
Raised in a secular family with divorced parents, great emphasis was placed on education. Rubar embodies a striking combination of intellect, grace, humor, and ease. She is extremely personable, kind, open, and curious about the world.
Rubar and Alî met each other when she saw him perform in a Kurdish-language adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. They dated long distance for 4 years, married in August of 2017, and have been living together in Istanbul since shortly after their marriage. Rubar is currently working for a human rights/public health NGO in Istanbul while also completing her Master’s Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies. She is quite well-read in Feminist Theory. Rubar would like to perhaps someday become a Human Rights Lawyer.
Rubar explained to us that through her relationship with Alî, she has learned a tremendous amount about her Kurdish culture and history. She is passionate to deepen this knowledge, and grateful to be married to an extraordinary singer and dedicated cultural researcher and performer.
With Rubar and Alî, we all felt instantly at home, as if we were simply meeting for a meal with old friends. The conversations flowed with laughter, tears, and a bottle or two of wine, and our conversations quickly embraced the intimacy of friendship. Rubar helped us with translation and language questions throughout this project, and we are truly grateful for her support and participation in JIYAN.
