Doğançay | |
Type: | neighbourhood |
Province: | Mardin |
District: | Midyat |
Population As Of: | 2021 |
Population Total: | 159 |
Coordinates: | 37.372°N 41.448°W |
Doğançay (Syriac: ܡܙܝܙܚ|translit=Mzizah, Mizizah; Kurdish: Mizîzex) is a rural neighbourhood of the municipality and district of Midyat, Mardin Province in southeastern Turkey.[1] It is located in the historical region of Tur Abdin. It is populated by Assyrians and by Kurds of the Zaxuran tribe.[2]
The village had a population of 159 in 2021.[3]
The Church of Mor Yuhannon in Mzizah was constructed in the 6th century and the village is first mentioned in 1296. In the early 18th century AD, Assyrians from the village of Ain Wardo settled in Mzizah. Later, Assyrians from the villages of Zaz, Kfarbe, Bashoq, Urnus, Rowen, and Merin also settled in Mzizah.[4] The village also experienced an influx of Yazidis from nearby Kefnas in the 1870s.[5]
In 1915, during the Assyrian genocide, the majority of the Assyrian population of the village fled to Ain Wardo, where they remained for fifty days until a truce was agreed and they were permitted to return to Mzizah.[6] However, several Assyrians were killed by tribal Kurds on the journey to the village and many subsequently fled to Syria. In 1961, the name of the village was officially changed to Doğançay.