Karapete Xaco

Karapetê Xaço,(1902-2005), was a famous Armenian singer of traditional Kurdish "dengbêj" music. He was born during the Ottoman Empire and lived through to become a survivor of the Armenian Genocide in the early 20th century. Karapete Xaço is best remembered for pioneering some of the oldest and most traditional sounds in Kurdish music and is well-respected among Kurds throughout Kurdistan for laying a foundation for future generations of musicians.

Karapete Xaço was orphaned in 1915 during the beginning of the Armenian Genocide before being saved and raised by a Kurdish family. At a young age, he began taking a liking for music and would sing old Kurdish folk songs that were passed on through generations. Karapete Xaço later grew up to be known as one of the greatest recorders of "Dengbêj" music, which is a form of singing that often tells a story. He died in 2005 at the age of 103.

Hundreds of Kurdish "dengbêj" songs are considered to be one of the key elements in preserving the Kurdish culture and history. Karapete Xaço was best known for singing and recording the traditional songs, "Ay lo mîro", "Adullê", "Çume Cizîre", "Xim ximê" and "Lê dayê". Since Karapete Xaço recorded them, variations of these songs have been recorded by several different artists to this day.