KHANI, AHMADI

(1650-1706)

Ahmad-i Khani was the author ofMem u Zin, the Kurdish national epic, and may thus be seen as an early advocate of Kurdishnationalism. Khani lamented Kurdish divisions. He argued that only a strong king would be able to bring unity, free the Kurds from foreign domination, and bring progress and prosperity. Despite his fame, Khani's ideas did little to achieve Kurdish unity.