Social Criticism in Three Kurdish Humor Magazines

Abstract

In this study, we base our analysis of the role of humor in social criticism on three Kurdish humor magazines: Îsot, Zengil and Mîrkut – the first of the humor magazines in Kurdish journalism. We conclude that there is a paucity of the techniques of humor due to these magazines having been the first of their kind. Nevertheless, mostly through cartoons, we see criticism of the fragmentation of the Kurds; the results of their immigration to the Europe; the role of Kurdish writers and artists in society; and, other social relations. Humor is an important channel of social criticism in Kurdish journalism, yet there has been no previous study done on these early magazines in Kurdish journalism.