Healing the Wounds of the Past: A Personal Journey Through the Intergenerational Trauma
Embedded within the narrative of human history, the threads of pain and resilience are tightly woven, often passed down through generations like an unspoken legacy. My own story, rooted in the harrowing experiences of my paternal great-grandfather, Shimon Sada - a survivor of the Semele massacre in 1933 - serves as a testament to the enduring impact of intergenerational trauma within the Assyrian community.
Considered one of the most enervating and bloodstained episodes of modern Assyrian history, the previous generation of Assyrians having survived the horrors of the Seyfo Genocide, in which unbeknownst to them, their children would experience indistinguishable horrors.
Pictured: Assyrian genocide survivors, c. 1918
Shimon's ordeal began in a dark chapter of the newly independent Kingdom of Iraq where he and his friends faced the brutality of genocide. Abducted, on the verge of execution, Shimon made a split-second decision that would alter the course of his life. As bullets whizzed past, his friends fell to the merciless hands of killers, but Shimon managed to escape, wounded and left for dead.
His journey to safety was a terrifying one, seeking refuge in a neighbouring village, where an unexpected reunion with a former household servant became his lifeline. The kindness of this stranger helped him recover physically and emotionally, setting the stage for a journey that would ultimately lead him to Syria, where his fellow Qotchanès tribesmen awaited.
The road to recovery was a harrowing one to say the least. Grappling with the physical aftermath of a gunshot wound on his arm that, had it not been for the intervention of an Assyrian man known as Hakim Baba, would have cost him his arm as the English physicians suggested amputating it. The Assyrian doctor's dedication to healing Shimon, without resorting to amputation, marked a turning point in Shimon's life, yet the scars, both physical and mental, remained etched into his being.
Through the lens of intergenerational trauma, Shimon's story is not merely a chapter in history but a living narrative passed down through generations. The impact of his ordeal lingered, shaping the lives of his descendants, including my grandmother, who carried the weight of her father's pain.
In my role as a journalist, I find myself compelled to shine a light on these often-overlooked aspects of our shared history. The Assyrian Genocides from a contemporary perspective: Hakkari massacres in 1843 and 1846, Seyfo in 1915, Semele in 1933, Soriya in 1969, to the more recent Khabour invasion by ISIS in 2015 along with others, are crucial chapters that demand acknowledgment. Each Assyrian household bears witness to suffering; be it in the form of terrorism, hatred, or the corruption of Middle Eastern governments.
As I step into this narrative, I recognise the duty bestowed upon us by our forefathers — the survivors — to document and share their stories. Merissa Nathan Gerson aptly states, "We inherit pain. When it's not coped with, it gets passed again." The resonance of her words echoes through the generations of my family from my father’s side, as we grapple with the inherited trauma of Shimon Sada.
The concept of intergenerational trauma, introduced by psychiatrist Vivian Rakoff in 1966, speaks to the enduring nature of pain that transcends generations. Whether transmitted through genetics or conversations at the dinner table, the impact is undeniable. It's a silent force that shapes worldviews, influences choices, and leaves an indelible mark on the psyche.
In a world where trauma is often silent and stories untold, my journey as a journalist becomes a vehicle for raising awareness. The Assyrian community, like many others, has weathered storms that echo through time, and it is our responsibility to acknowledge, heal, and ensure that the echoes of the past do not dictate the future.
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