Tel Keppe: A City Between Past and Present
By Ghazwan Alyass
On the ruins of an ancient mound and its surroundings lies the city of Tel Keppe, named after this very mound. Its history traces back to the several centuries before Christ, evidenced by artifacts excavated there, specifically on the site of the current cemetery. In Chaldean, it is known as “Tel Keppe,” meaning “Mound of Stones” in Arabic, and it was once called “Shbaitian.”
Historical sources mention that Tel Keppe was looted by the Mongols in 1508 and that by 1562, it was known as “Shbaitian” in the lists of parishes. After this period, Tel Keppe is frequently referenced, particularly in numerous Chaldean manuscripts dating back to later centuries, stored in various collections and indicating that they were either written in Tel Keppe or authored by its residents. These manuscripts were copied between the 17th and early 20th centuries, with the oldest dating to 1648. In 1822, Al-Munshia Al-Baghdadi described Tel Keppe as a village with 3,000 houses of Chaldean Christians.
To delve deeper into the city’s story, we spoke with Mr. Yahya Khidr Tilla, a local with a passion for culture and history, who provided us with valuable insights for this journalistic investigation. This piece seeks to shed light on different historical phases of Tel Keppe and its significant milestones.
“Tel Keppe was once a village under Mosul’s jurisdiction, ruled by a village head and local elders (Mukhtars) with Mosul’s governor as the higher authority,” Mr. Yahya recounts. “During the monarchy, it became a sub-district center, and by 1970, it was elevated to district center status with Mr. Salam Mikha Jameel as its first administrator (Qai’em Maqam). The city, located 15 kilometers north of Mosul, serves as a district center overseeing three sub-districts: Alqosh, Wannah, and Faida.”
Old Neighborhoods
Although Tel Keppe has expanded with new buildings, its old neighborhoods retain the character and spirit of its people. These neighborhoods with their traditional architecture reflect a timeless bond with the heritage of its residents.
The town’s original inhabitants recall the twelve distinct neighborhoods, each named after families or clans that symbolize their enduring presence in the minds of those who grew up there. Each stone in these homes holds a special resonance for those who yearn for their ancestral soil. As Mr. Yahya shared, the neighborhood names include: Asmar, Yelda, Uro, Dakho, Abro, Gezi, Qashat, Samona, Shaiwota, Shammami, Shengo, and Mart Shemuni, which was previously called Shuqo D’bi Abbo.
Luminaries of Tel Keppe
The city’s deep historical roots and the Christian heritage cultivated since its earliest days have been a rich source of knowledge for the people of Tel Keppe, nourishing them in the sciences and various fields of learning. This heritage empowered them to excel across diverse areas of life. Over its long history, Tel Keppe has given rise to numerous prominent figures, including revered Christian clergy who have served faithfully, as well as many intellectuals, writers, artists, and cultural luminaries.
Our guest recalls some of the most notable figures, those he has heard of or personally knows, who distinguished themselves in various domains—from clergy to intellectuals and influential social figures. Undoubtedly, the names mentioned here are but a few; countless others throughout the years have left their mark, contributing to the community’s foundation and painting vivid portraits across many facets of life.
Religious Leaders
• Patriarch Mar Joseph II Al-Ma’ruf
• Patriarch Mar Emmanuel Delli
• Bishop Basilius Asmar
• Bishop Gorgis Garmo
• Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim
• Bishop Sarhad Jammo
• Bishop Franciss Kalabat
• Bishop Ramzi Garmo
• Bishop Basil Yeldo
• Father Lucian Jamil
• Father Yousif Bin Jamal ad-Din
• Deacon Yousif Meri
Journalists
• Iskandar Al-Ma’ruf
• Maryam Neremi Al-Romaya
• Yousif Malik
• Yousif Hermiz Jammo
Musicians
• Khidr Elias Thuwaini
• Nazim Naeem Al-Salmo
• Hikmat Dawood
• Raphael Babu Ishaq - Historian
• Maria Teresa Asmar - Author
• Shmuel Jamil - Author
Poets
• Thomas Taktak
• Zarif Asar
• Hani Noyatha
• Yelda Qala
• Shouki Qunja
Social Figures
• Hanna Pajur Al-Hami “Reis” (village head)
• Yousif Abro Reis
• Yousif Samoka Al-Hakim Reis
• Jirjis Al-Akkam
• Mansour Hilo
Churches and Shrines
During the 1970s and 1980s, many families sought refuge in Tel Keppe due to the forced displacement policies of the former regime, which razed Kurdish and Christian villages alike in Kurdistan. This led to an increase in the Christian population, prompting the construction of several churches for various Christian denominations. Today, Tel Keppe houses the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East, and the Chaldean Catholic Church. There are three main churches: Sacred Heart Church, St. Peter and Paul Church, and the Church of Our Lady, in addition to the shrine of St. Joseph.
Local Shrines
• Shrine of Mart Shmuni and Her Sons
• Shrine of Mar Yohanna
• Shrine of Bakht Sahtha
Nearby Shrines
• Shrine of Mar Daniel, Son of the Sayyeid “Master”
• Shrine of Mart Shmuni
• Shrine of Arbini
The Market “Bazaar”
In the simpler, humbler life of rural areas where restaurants and parks were scarce, the Bazaar became the social center. From the early 20th century until the 1980s, the market was where people not only shopped but also socialized. Men gathered in cafés to converse and pass the time.
According to Mr. Yahya, Tel Keppe’s market included several famous cafés, such as Ago Fala, Hamez, Joseph Yeldo, Nuri Asar, and Sliyo Bafal. The old market, located in the Yelda neighborhood near the Church’s hostel, contained shops that catered to most household needs, alongside craftsmen like carpenters, blacksmiths, butchers, barbers, and tailors. Tel Keppe was renowned for its leather and gunpowder industries, as well as traditional foods like Tahini and preserved grains.
Agriculture and Livestock
Tel Keppe’s fertile location encouraged many residents to pursue agriculture, a vital source of sustenance. Wheat and barley flourished, and legumes like chickpeas and lentils were widely cultivated. Watermelons and Armenian cucumbers (Tar’uoz) were also popular seasonal crops. In livestock, Tel Keppe residents excelled in raising cattle and sheep, enriching the town’s agricultural profile.
Despite their decreasing numbers, Chaldeans from Tel Keppe still own about 70% of the town’s farmland—approximately 25,000 donums. While some of this land has been repurposed for projects under governmental decisions, or sold to newcomers, the roots of its people remain entrenched in its soil.
Diaspora
Driven by religious, political, and economic factors, many Tel Keppe residents emigrated in the early 20th century. Some moved to Baghdad or other Iraqi cities, while most journeyed abroad, settling largely in Detroit, Michigan, and beyond. Tel Keppians established vibrant communities that echo their homeland.
Mr. Yahya estimates that Tel Keppe’s diaspora now numbers around 200,000, with the majority residing in the U.S. and others spread across Europe, Canada, and Australia.
The Tel Keppians, also called Telkefians, have excelled wherever they have settled, especially in business and trade, leaving an indelible mark that draws the admiration and attention of those around them. Their remarkable achievements have transformed the neighborhoods they inhabit, often referred to as “New Telkef,” in homage to their success and influence. Today, they stand as pillars of social, economic, and political strength within the Chaldean community in Michigan, steadfastly preserving their heritage while writing a legacy of distinction and pride for future generations.
Memories of Hardship
Tel Keppe has witnessed a long history marked by profound events. It was invaded by the Roman commander Xenophon when it was known as “Shibetian,” as previously mentioned. The town endured the campaigns of Tahmasp III, Mirakor of Rawanduz, and the Ottomans, whose invasions subjected its people to severe hardships, especially during the era of the Seyfo.
In more recent times, Tel Keppe faced famine and the tragedy of a flood in 1949 that took the lives of young girls from the local elementary school. The Shawwaf Revolution followed, along with the subsequent executions of a group of Tel Keppe’s locals, who were put to death in front of the old police station. The series of calamities reached its peak when ISIS entered the town, leading to its complete depopulation as residents were forced to flee.
When Mr. Yahya speaks of these events, sorrow is etched deeply on his face as he recounts how ISIS terrorism invaded his very home in Tel Keppe, crushing any hopes of remaining in the land of his forefathers. He was one of those steadfastly clinging to his homeland, dreaming of a better future, but the sheer trauma of what befell them forced him and his family to pack their belongings and leave the country, seeking a safe haven—just as many others from his community had done in choosing this path.
Fierce storms have struck the foundations of this city, uprooting the roots of its kind-hearted people. With each calamity that has befallen it, souls and memories have departed, drifting toward distant lands in search of a new homeland.
Today, only a handful of its native inhabitants remain. Will they be the seed that grows and flourishes? Or does a final erasure await, leaving only the graves of its former residents as silent witnesses to a bygone era?