Every martyr is a breath of free life whose existence continues upon the mountain slopes through creative principles.
Thousands of heroic young women and men embarked upon a unique, irreversible journey for a free life and an existence recognized through culture and identity. However history, years, and seasons may change and the past remain behind us as memory, hidden feelings and thoughts in the cradle of the future continue to guide the life of the present.
Berçem Herekol Şîrvan, whose civil name was Nefîse Ongulu, was born into a patriotic family in Sêrt, in colorful Botan. Her family's patriotism enabled her to recognize early the existing system and the struggle against it. She understood that being born a woman in this geography and continuing her life required struggle. As the days passed and she grew, life's truths became increasingly clear to her.
She Searched for Herself and Her Truth
Berçem Herekol Şîrvan joined the Apoist movement in 2015. After joining, she wrote: “I was searching for myself and my truth. I then saw that only in the mountains could I reach my truth. I therefore turned toward the ranks of freedom in 2015 and entered the search for self-knowledge. With each day I knew myself better and understood the reality of my gender and society. From now on I will continue to seek myself and my truth, because life is continuous and every moment is open to change.”
Through powerful participation she recreated herself moment by moment. As she came to know herself, the Apoist organization, and Leader Apo's thought, she saw herself changing and a new personality taking shape. These changes made her a fighting woman, an unbroken militant, and a comrade of victory. Guerrilla life is sacred and filled with struggle. In the mountains of Kurdistan every season renews itself each year with new hopes and truths. Every renewal affected her and allowed her to become the ever-flowing Berçem.
I Will Become Zîlan's Comrade and a Cell of Revenge
In the mountains of Kurdistan, Berçem Herekol Şîrvan built herself militarily and ideologically into a wall that could never collapse. After gaining great experience, she went to Serhed in 2020. There she developed an Apoist stance that struggled with self-sacrificing spirit and defended life. She wrote: “Today I am in Serhed. I have responsibilities and vows. Whatever happens, I must realize my vows and dreams. A person joins as the result of a search, yet after joining the search begins anew—the search to answer the period. My dream is to become a Zîlan of this time, tear down the walls of İmralı, and shatter the enemy's heart and mind through an act of revenge. Today I can affirm my existence through my word and practice. Whatever obstacle confronts me, through my struggle I will become Zîlan's comrade and through my practice a cell of revenge.”
Through Her Practice She Became a Guide
The Apoist guerrilla Berçem struggled with great effort in the movement's ranks. Despite every hardship, she committed herself to the insistence upon free life and worked for it. On the line of Zîlan and Bêrîtan she became a successful defender. Until her martyrdom she devoted her entire being to the Apoist line.
Berçem Herekol Şîrvan reached martyrdom on 25 July 2022 in the Tendûrek region of Serhed and became immortal as a hero who had always created herself through achievement.