The Language of Forgotten Birds

In the heart of the Zagros Mountains, where ancient whispers echo through rugged peaks, Kurdish linguist Shirin Baran embarks on a UNESCO mission to document a dying dialect.  The isolated village of Gavlan, perched precariously on a mountainside, holds secrets as weathered as its inhabitants.  Here, amidst the calls of unseen birds, Shirin discovers something extraordinary: haunting lullabies woven into the stories of Dilan, a village elder whose memory stretches back decades.  Could these melodies be remnants of a forgotten language, a linguistic fossil waiting to be unearthed?
Local whispers of the Simurgh, an ancient bird-worshipping sect, ignite Shirin's curiosity.  Her linguistic excavation reveals a complex tapestry of cultural suppression, forced migrations, and desperate attempts to preserve identity.  As Shirin deciphers the lullabies, each syllable a breadcrumb, the Simurgh emerge from the shadows of folklore.  Their language, a secret code of resistance, whispers of a shrouded past.  But Shirin’s pursuit comes at a cost.  Turkish authorities, suspicious of Kurdish cultural expression, label her an agitator. Kurdish separatists see her as a threat.  Caught in this political crossfire, her academic quest takes on a dangerous edge.
Into this precarious landscape walks Cem, a Turkish ornithologist captivated by Shirin’s passion.  Their shared love for nature and fascination with migration—both avian and human—forges a powerful bond. Yet, Cem harbors a secret, a hidden legacy that could shatter their fragile connection and jeopardize Shirin’s work.
A breakthrough comes when Shirin discovers coded messages hidden within traditional Kurdish weaving, each stitch a testament to resilience.  The patterns, she realizes, are a living language, a secret history woven into the fabric of Kurdish identity.  As she unravels these coded threads, a shocking revelation emerges – a link between the Simurgh and her own family, transforming her academic pursuit into a deeply personal quest.
With Cem’s reluctant help, Shirin locates the hidden sanctuary of the Simurgh, a cave echoing with forgotten rituals.  But her discovery attracts unwanted attention. Turkish authorities and Kurdish separatists converge, their motives intertwined with the secrets of the past.  In a climactic confrontation, Cem’s family secret is exposed, forcing them to confront the complex legacy of their shared history.