Christmas in Tel Keppe
As the nearest town to Mosul in the north, Tel Keppe has suffered greatly at the hands of ISIS. With one of the lowest return rates post-ISIS, the Telkepanye (people native to Tel Keppe) felt hopeless, especially because an ISIS prison was build in the center of town, constantly reminding residents of what had taken place there since the horrifying summer of 2014. On October 14, 2022, Telkepnaye received some long awaited news. The prison was shut down, the prisoners were transferred, and the town was finally freed from the grip of terror. About 60 families have returned to Tel Keppe. As this is still one of the lowest return rates of all the towns occupied by ISIS, the youth of the Shraga Volunteer Team wanted to do something special for the returned families for Christmas.
We partnered with Shraga Volunteer Team and Etuti Institute to bring the joy of the holiday season to the town. Through the generosity of our donors at the Annual Bet Nahrain Art Show, care packages filled with food and household essentials were distributed to every family in Tel Keppe.
But Tel Keppe's history is not defined by its struggles. The town, whose name means "hill of rocks," has a rich past, dating back to its days as a military outpost for the Assyrian empire. With the discovery of important reservoirs of clean water, Tel Keppe has become a thriving and significant village in modern history.
As we continue to rebuild and restore, the spirit of Tel Keppe rises like the legendary Nineveh of old - a shining example of hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.
As we look to the future, the possibilities for Tel Keppe are endless. With the town now free from the shackles of oppression, the community can come together to chart a new course for their future.
In the coming months and years, we will see a return of a sense of normalcy to the lives of the people of Tel Keppe.
To us, it's not just about rebuilding what was lost. It's about creating something even better, something that honors the town's rich history and reflects the aspirations of its people. Through innovative new projects, community development initiatives, and a focus on sustainability, Tel Keppe can become a model for post-conflict recovery and development.
And as we work to rebuild Tel Keppe, we can't forget the importance of healing and optimism. Together, the community must come to terms with the past, grieve for what was lost, and move forward with hope and courage in their hearts.
Let us all stand in solidarity with the people of Tel Keppe, as they rise from the ashes of war and create a brighter future for themselves and their families. Together, we can make Tel Keppe a shining example of what is possible when a community comes together in the face of adversity.
The Indomitable Spirit of Tel Keppe: A Town of Past, Present and Future
Tel Keppe, known as Telkaif in Arabic, is a town located in the Nineveh Governorate of Iraq, an ancient land steeped in history and culture. It is a place where the past and the present collide in perfect harmony.
The town is situated on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, a place where the ancient Assyrian Empire once stood, and a place where the earliest Christians have called home for centuries. It was an ancient military outpost, a place where kings and warriors once walked, where battles were fought and won, and where legends were born.
But Tel Keppe is not just a town of the past, it is also a place of the present. It was a place where people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds lived and worked together, where diversity was celebrated and harmony was the norm. The streets were filled with the sounds of laughter, the aroma of delicious food and the colors of different cultures.
The economy of the town was stable, most of its inhabitants engaged in agriculture and small businesses. The fertile clay soil of Tel Keppe was known for growing wheat, barley, Armenian cucumbers ("tar'ooze"), melons and sunflowers, golden fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. The town had a small industrial area, with several factories and workshops, providing jobs for the residents and contributing to the growth of the town's economy. Tel Keppe was known for manufacturing white cotton, tahini and gunpowder.
The town had good infrastructure, a hospital, schools, and a few supermarkets. The hospital was well-equipped and staffed with dedicated professionals who worked tirelessly to keep the people healthy. The schools were modern and equipped with the latest technology, providing a good education for the children of Tel Keppe.
The town had a strong sense of community, and the people were proud of their heritage and culture. The traditional female headpiece is unique among surrounding villages, as it draws influence from the Armenian neighbors of Telkepanye who migrated from modern-day Turkey. celebrated their festivals with joy and enthusiasm, and their traditions were passed down from generation to generation. The churches and monasteries in the area were important cultural and spiritual centers for the local Christian population, and they were often visited by people from all over the world.
How to Write "Tel Keppe" in Aramaic
Eastern Dialect
ܬ̤ܠ ܟܹܐܦܵܐ
Pronunciation: Til ' ki: pa
Western Dialect
ܬܺܠ ܟܶܐܦܳܐ