Aramaeans

The Arameans trace their genealogical lines back to the eponymous ancestor Aram, the son of Shem, the son of Noah(Genesis 10:1,22).
In pre-Christian times, notably between 1150-700 BC, they played a crucial and decisive role in Mesopotamia and ancient Syria. Due to the advanced scholarship of the past decades, we have become pretty familiar now with their Upper Mesopotamian origins as well as with their many kingdoms and principalities, which they established in the fertile area that has been aptly called “The Cradle of Civilization.”

Within a few centuries the Aramean nation was about to become subdued politically by closely related Mesopotamians (Assyrians and neo-Babylonians/Chaldeans); from the sixth century B.C. onwards, however, it was subjected by non-Mesopotamian lords (Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans/Turks). Despite these developments, their language, i.e. Aramaic, which advanced to the status of lingua franca of the entire Near East (primarily in the Persian era), remained centuries thereafter still in use in the Middle East,once extending as far as Afghanistan on the one hand and Egypt on the other.(source:http://www.midyatcity.com)

The Aramaeans (also Arameans) are a West Semitic semi-nomadic and pastoralist people who lived in upper Mesopotamia (Biblical Aram). Aramaeans never had a unified empire; they were divided into independent kingdoms all across the Near East. Yet to these Aramaeans befell the privilege of imposing their language and culture upon the entire Near East and beyond, fostered in part by the mass relocations enacted by successive empires, including the Assyrians and Babylonians. Scholars even have used the term "Aramaization" for the process by which Assyro-Babylonian peoples became Aramaic-speaking. Today, the descendants of the Aramaeans, nowadays known as Syriacs are widely spread in the Middle East and Europe.
(source: www.wikipedia.org)

The Arameans of Aram-Naharaim accepted the teachings of Christ and established, together with the apostles of Jesus Christ and the converted Jews, the Syrian Church of Antioch, the second Patriarchy after Jerusalem, where, for the first time, the followers of Jesus Christ were called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). This church was the mother of all the Churches – and the first Church established outside Israel, which is in Damascus , Syria . The Semitic Arameans underwent a change of name after they had embraced Christianity and were then called “Syrians”, in order to be distinguished from the Arameans, who were not converted. – whose Patriarch currently resides in.

Aramean people (not to be confused with 'Armenians') speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

Aramaean Genocide of 1914-15 is the darkest period in their modern history, when 2/3 of all the Aramean Christians were brutally and merciless slaughtered like innocent sheep. MORE THAN 95% of those who lived originally in an area called "Tur-Abdin", in southeastern Turkey, live currently outside THEIR original homeland.



The Homeland of Aramean people - Aram -Tur Abdin


Reading about Aramaeans, I remember Ahom people of North East India; they are similar in their fate, where no nation will represent their right to survive, they will one day lost in history, and affect by the culture of their stronger neighbour or majority in their area. I remember Nagaland(Naga people) of North East India, the Shan, and other minorities of Burma. I also remember the invasion of East Timor by Indonesia, where no big countries really care about them.....they have no oil or other strategic advantage resources......that is why.

The stronger countries are more active to support the minorities in their perceived future enemies(countries), worried about the people who have self rule, speak their own language, freedom to education and trade, elected their government. They worried about global politic, where they stand and created tension according to their master strategic plan. Remember the lies in Iraq by the big countries ? that is their strategic master plan with hidden political agenda. They support the formation of new pseudo-nations, according to their needs and political purposes.Thus created a global political tension(Remember the cold war?).

How about Aramaean, Ahom?.....Kudish, Assyrian.....??? We are now living in modern era, the scar of their past still adversely affect these people, all because of the political strategy of the colonists and superpower in the past; divided and rule, let the minority fight among each others, that is the mess the colonial countries left behind. They are not able to solve the problem now,not even an apology for their past mistakes. Now they use other platforms to continue their exploitation of these poor people under the name of human right(why only now they know about human right?).......some have lost their identity and home land, some are forming their identity based on limited historical information, some are still in their homeland but facing the pains of cultural, language and religion assimilation ....and some even racial prosecution with life threatening situation.

These were the historical scars of political games played by politician, exploiting the emotion and sensitivity of the innocent people...........the game still continue in modern era, in the modern countries who known democracy and human right very well(compared to ancient countries).......

Please pray for all these people, who are the victims of the political strategy of the controlling powers, whatever race you are, whatever religion you are. They are victims of political games.

It is sad to read about it, to know the cruel thing happen to mankind....my heart sink...

Related articles:
1.The Arameans of Aram-naharaim or The Ancient Syrians of Mesopotamia, www.midyatcity.com/articles/arameans_aramnaharaim.pdf
2.Documentary - About Arameans Part 1-5, www.youtube.com, it is in Arab language, but good documentary
3. Book:The Aramaeans: their ancient history, culture, religion(2000), by Edward Lipiński, published by Edward Lipiński.
4. Aramean - Tur Abdin / Aram Part 1-6 , www.youtube.com

Note:

Shem. Also Sem. Literal meanings are named or renown (father of the Semitic people groups - Shemites). The sons of Shem were:

(1) Elam "eternity"(sons were Shushan, Machul and Harmon) - (Elamites, Persians);

(2) Asshur "a step" or "strong" (sons were Mirus and Mokil) - (Assyrians/Northern Iraqis);

(3) Arphaxad "I shall fail" (sons were Shelach, Anar and Ashcol) - (Chaldeans/Southern Iraqis, Hebrews/Israelites/Jews, Arabians/Bedouins, Moabites/Jordanians/Palestinians, and related groups);

(4) Lud "strife" (sons were Pethor and Bizayon) - (Ludim, Lubim, Ludians, Ludu, Lydians, Chubs, other related groups in Asia Minor and North Africa);

(5) Aram "exalted" (sons were Uz, Chul, Gather and Mash) - (Aramaeans/Syrians, Lebanese, other related groups), and remnant groups throughout Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

(source:http://www.soundchristian.com/man/)