Devil Worship / The Sacred Books and Traditions of the Yezidiz

First published in 1919, Isya Joseph's exhaustive study of the fascinating and often misunderstood Yezidis of the Near East remains a classic in the literature on obscure and ancient religions.Maligned and persecuted for centuries due to their veneration of the Devil under the name Melek Ta'us, the Peacock Angel, the Yezidis present a view of the Devil not easily understood or appreciated by most minds: the Devil not as an evil spirit, opposed to man and goodness, but as the highest Angel and personal representative of God on Earth. Presented in this work are English translations of the holy books of the Yezidis as well as detailed accounts of their customs, ceremonies and way of life. Discover the world of these picturesque people as it was over a century ago.

This is a stunning work about the Yezidi religion and people, a religion shrouded in the mists of history, small, largely unknown until recently. Despite its unfortunate name, "Devil Worshippers" portrays the Yezidis with a tender though penetrating eye. The most valuable feature of this book, of course, is its translation of all the sacred texts of the Yezidis, from its Arabic original. These alone is worth the price of admission, for lovers of religion.

Part II contains the theorized origins of the group; the essential elements of their religion; a description of their sacraments and religious observances along with their customs. It ends with a history of their persecution and a list of their existing tribes.