First published in 1919, Isya Joseph's exhaustive study of the fascinating and often misunderstood Yezidis of the Near East remains a classic in the literature on obscure and ancient religions.Maligned and persecuted for centuries due to their veneration of the Devil under the name Melek Ta'us, the Peacock Angel, the Yezidis present a view of the Devil not easily understood or appreciated by most minds: the Devil not as an evil spirit, opposed to man and goodness, but as the highest Angel and personal representative of God on Earth. Presented in this work are English translations of the holy books of the Yezidis as well as detailed accounts of their customs, ceremonies and way of life. Discover the world of these picturesque people as it was over a century ago.