Shamoun Hanne Haydo

Shamoun Hanne Haydo (1874 – 1964), also spelled Şemun Hanne Haydo, was a Syriac/Assyrian community leader from the village of Sare, Tur Abdin. A respected intellectual and figure of authority, he is best known for his leadership during the early 20th century, particularly in defending Syriac/Assyrian communities during the Sayfo.

Today, Haydo is considered to be a legendary warrior among the Syriac/Assyrian community.

Early life Shamoun Hanne Haydo was born in 1870 to a Syriac/Assyrian family in the village of Sare near Midyat in the Tur Abdin region. In Tur Abdin, Christian families were split between seeking protection from the pro-government Dekşuri clan north of Midyat, or the anti-government Heverkan clan in the south. Both clans were characterized under the concept of a confederation and high ethnic/religious diversity which included Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians/Syriacs, Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, and even those in the same eşîret. In a rare circumstance, Haydo's family held positions within both clans, maintaining influence over the security and control of the area.

During the Massacres of Bedir Khan, Bsorino and Sare were attacked from Kurdish invasions, and security further diminished. Haydo's father, a leader in the Syriac/Assyrian villages, prioritized efforts to ensure security by uniting the dominant tribes of the region. Eventually, he succeeded in uniting his own tribe with the Syriacs/Assyrians of Sare, Basibrin, and neighboring villages, becoming their leader. According to oral testimony, Haydo is recounted for several of his personality traits, including his intelligence, peace-making abilities, and his commitment as a tribal warrior. A large segment of the Syriac/Assyrian population believe that Haydo held a divine power that allowed him to survive conflict and confront up to 20 men at a time. Despite his recent history, Haydo earned a priviliged place among the Syriac/Assyrian people (as well as Kurds and was presented at a ceremony in Gronau.

The following year, in 2024, a memorial was built for Haydo in Tur Abdin. In the same year, a documentary film was prepared to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth. The documentary aired in November of that year in Enschede, and the event was broadcast by numerous TV broadcasters.