Rya Taza Explained

Official Name:Rya Taza
Native Name:Ռյա Թազա
Pushpin Map:Armenia#Aragatsotn
Mapsize:150px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Armenia
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Aragatsotn
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2:Alagyaz
Population As Of:2011
Population Total:531
Utc Offset:+4
Coordinates:40.6578°N 44.3°W

Rya Taza (Armenian: Ռյա Թազա) or Ria Taza (Kurdish: script=Latn|Ria Taza|translation|New way) is a village in the Alagyaz Municipality of the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. It was formerly known as Kondakhsaz or known by locals as Qundesaz. Most residents of Rya Taza are Sîpkî Yezidis who migrated to the Aparan region from Kars in the 19th century.[1]

The village is home to a ruined Armenian church built between the 10th and 13th centuries. It also contains an old cemetery with animal-shaped tombstones. In December 2020, a Yezidi cleric from the Lalish holy site located in Iraq blessed a newly built temple named after Shekhubekir (Şêxûbekir) which is open to the public.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: (PDF) On the Structure of the Yezidi Clan and Tribal System and its Terminology among the Yezidis of the Caucasus Khanna Omarkhali - Academia.edu . 115.