Changes

| image5 = Lucianus.jpg| caption5 = [[Lucian]] | image6 = Bardesan.jpg| caption6 = [[Bardaisan]]

| image14 = Hormuzd.Rassam.reclined.jpg| caption14 = [[Hormuzd Rassam]]| image15 = Michael Malke.jpg| caption15 = [[Flavianus Michael Malke]] | image16 = Ashur Yousif.gif| caption16 = [[Ashur Yousif]] | image17 = Naumfaik.jpg| caption17 = [[Naum Faiq]] | image18 = Alphonse Mingana.jpg| caption18 = [[Alphonse Mingana]] | image19 = Agha-petros.jpg| caption19 = [[Agha Petros]] | image20 = Shimun Benyamin.jpg| caption20 = [[Shimun XXI Benyamin]] | image21 = Freydon Atoraya.jpg| caption21 = [[Freydun Atturaya]]

| image26 = Terrence Malick.jpg| caption26 = [[Terrence Malick]] | image27 = Ashur Bet Sargis.gif| caption27 = [[Ashur Bet Sargis]]| image28 = RosieMalek-Yonan.jpg| caption28 = [[Rosie Malek Yonan]]

| image4 = Hormuzd.Rassam.reclined.jpg | caption4 = [[Hormuz Hormuzd Rassam]]

| image8 = Her Ragheed Aziz Ganni.jpg | caption8 = [[Her Ragheed Aziz Ganni]]

| population = [[Mesopotamia]] 2–3.3 million<ref>[http://www.unpo.org/article/7859], [[UNPO]] estimates</ref>

| ref8 = {{lower|<ref>[http://spectator.org/archives/2007/07/02/thrown-to-the-lions Thrown to the Lions], [[Doug Bandow]], The America Spectator</ref><ref>[ Jordan Should Legally Recognize Displaced Iraqis As Refugees], AINA.org. [http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11542438/ Chaldean Christians Flee Iraq to Neighboring Jordan], ASSIST News Service</ref>}}

| ref12 = {{lower|<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20040620144321.htm |title=CNN Under-Estimates Iraqi Chaldean Population |publisher=Aina.org |accessdate=2013-09-18}}</ref>}}

| ref15 = {{lower|<ref name="AINApopCHALDEANpop">{{cite web|url=http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/perepis2010/croc/Documents/Vol4/pub-04-04.xlsx&usg=ALkJrhgaxBAcNkW4GbQMayFRueaNMarhEA |title=Google Translate |publisher=Translate.googleusercontent.com |accessdate=2013-09-18}}</ref>}}

Most recently, the [[Iraq War]] has displaced the regional Chaldean community, as its people have faced ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of [[Islamic extremists]] and [[Arab nationalism|Arab]] and [[Kurdish nationalism|Kurdish]] nationalists. Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the [[United Nations]] to have fled Iraq since the [[History of Iraq (2003–11)|occupation]], nearly 40% are Chaldean, although Chaldeans comprised around 3% of the pre-war Iraqi population.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chaldean Christians 'Most Vulnerable Population' in Iraq |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061205/23863.htm |work=The Christian Post |accessdate=2006-12-05 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061206183622/http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061205/23863.htm| archivedate=6 December 2006 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl=no }}</ref><ref name="Assyrian Chaldean Report on CWN">{{cite news |title=Iraq's Christian community, fights for its survival |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNG6OF3pQE |publisher=Christian World News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Gov't Watchdog Urges Protection for Iraq's Chaldean Christians |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070314/26312_U.S._Gov't_Watchdog_Urges_Protection_for_Iraq's_Chaldean_Christians.htm |work=The Christian Post |accessdate=2007-12-31}}</ref> According to a 2013 report by a [[Chaldean Syriac Popular Council]] official, it is estimated that only 300,000 Chaldeans remain in Iraq.<ref name="ishtartv.com" />

[[File:Chaldean Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, Armeniamemorial Diyarbakir Turkey.JPGjpg|thumb|upright|Chaldean Genocide Memorial in [[Yerevan]]memorial Diyarbakir, [[Armenia]]Turkey]]

The most significant recent persecution against the Chaldean population was the [[Chaldean genocide]] which occurred during the First World War. Between 275,000 and About 300,000 Chaldeans were estimated to have been slaughtered by the armies of the Ottoman Empire and their Kurdish allies, totalling up to two-thirds of the entire Chaldean population. This led to a large-scale migration of Turkish-based Chaldean people into countries such as Syria, [[Iran]], and Iraq (where they were to suffer further violent assaults at the hands of the Arabs and Kurds), as well as other neighbouring countries in and around the Middle East such as Armenia, [[Republic of Georgia|Georgia]] and [[Russia]].<ref>The Plight of Religious Minorities: Can Religious Pluralism Survive? - Page 51 by United States Congress</ref><ref>The Armenian Genocide: Wartime Radicalization Or Premeditated Continuum – Page 272 edited by Richard Hovannisian</ref><ref>Not Even My Name: A True Story – Page 131 by Thea Halo</ref><ref>The Political Dictionary of Modern Middle East by Agnes G. Korbani</ref>

Islamic resentment over the United States' occupation of Iraq, and incidents such as the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons]] and the [[Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy]], have resulted in Muslims attacking Chaldean Christian communities. Since the start of the Iraq war, at least 46 churches and monasteries have been bombed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ainakaldaya.orgnet/news2011/20080107163014News/08/Aug24_E2_BombersTargetKirkuk.htm html |title=Church Bombings in Iraq Since 2004 |publisher=AinaKaldaya.org net|accessdate=2008-11-16}}</ref>

[[File:Chaldean world population.png|thumb|Chaldean world population.World Population <br />

=== Chaldean Diaspora ===Since the [[Chaldean Genocide genocide | Chaldean genocide]], many Chaldeans have fled their homelands for a more safe and comfortable life in the West. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Chaldean population in the Middle East has decreased dramatically. As of today there are more Chaldeans in Europe, North America, and Australia than in their former naive homelandof [[Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia]], also known as Iraq, Syria and Southern Turkey. Read more about the [[Chaldean diaspora | Chaldean Diaspora]].

A total of 550,000 Chaldeans live in Europe.<ref>http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=70134</ref> Large Chaldean and Syriac diaspora communities can be found in Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, the USA, and Australia. The largest Chaldean and Syriac diaspora communities are those of [[SödertäljeMichigan]], [[Chicago]], and [[DetroitCalifornia]].

{{Further| nationalism|Aramaeanism|Arabization|Turkification|Kurdification}} [[File:FlagofAssyriaChaldean Flag.svgjpg|thumb|[[Assyrian Chaldean Nation flag]] (since 1968)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflagskaldaya.comnet/fotw2010/flagsNews/assyria04/April01_2010_E3_Akitu7310_TripToElMontePark.html |title=Assyria Chaldea |publisher=Crwflagskaldaya.com net |accessdate=2008-11-16| archiveurl=http://webwww.archivekaldaya.orgnet/web/20081012054550/http://www.crwflags.com2010/fotwNews/Flags04/assyriaApril01_2010_E3_Akitu7310_TripToElMontePark.html| archivedate=12 October 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl=no}}</ref>]]

In certain areas of the [[Assyrian homeland]], identity within a community depends on a person's village of origin Chaldeans have several churches (see [[List of Chaldean villages]]below) or Christian denomination rather than their ethnic commonality. They speak, for instance and many can read and write, dialects of [[Chaldean Catholic language|Chaldean Neo-Aramaic]].<ref>[http://www.friesian.com/notes/note-n.htm Note on the Modern Assyrians]Florian Coulmas, ''The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Writing Systems'' 23 (1996)</ref>

Today, Chaldeans and other minority ethnic groups in In certain areas of the Middle East[[Chaldean homeland]], feel pressure to identify as "Arabs",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meforum.org/article/558|title=Iraqi Assyrians: Barometer of Pluralism|author=Jonathan Eric Lewis|work=Middle East Forum|accessdate=18 February 2015}}</ref><!--Already stated above (¶5): Chaldeans formed about 6% of Iraqidentity within a community depends on a person's population before the start village of the Iraq War, but since then many have emigrated, mostly to Syria.--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/releases/20070416140021.htm |title=Arab American Institute Still Deliberately Claiming Assyrians Are Arabs |publisher=Aina.org |accessdate=2008-11-16}}</ref> "Turks" and "Kurds".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20061120133220.htm |title=In Court, Saddam Criticizes Kurdish Treatment origin (see [[List of Assyrians Chaldean villages]]) or Christian denomination rather than their [[Chaldean |publisher=Aina.org |accessdate=2008-11-16}}</ref> Those Chaldeans in Syria, who live outside of the traditionally and historically Chaldean northeastern region of the country]] ethnic commonality, are pressured to identify as Arabs, due to Arab Nationalist policies of the for instance [[BaathistChaldean Catholic]] government.

=== Other Related Self-designation ==={{Main|Chaldean Names of Syriac Christians}}The communities of indigenous pre-Arab Chaldean Neo-Aramaic-speaking people of Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Iran, Turkey and [[Lebanon]] and the surrounding areas advocate different terms for ethnic self-designation.* "Chaldeans", after the ancient [[Mesopotamia]], advocated by are mostly followers of the [[Chaldean Church of the East]]or Chaldean Nestorian, the [[Ancient Church of the East]], followers of the [[Chaldean Catholic Church]] and Chaldean [[Protestantsnon Catholics]]. ("Chaldeans"),<ref name="Catholic Encyclopaedia">[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05230a.htm "Eastern Churches"], ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'', see "Eastern Syrians" and "Western Syrians" respectively. Modern terminology within the group is Western Chaldeans and Eastern Chaldeans respectively, while those who reject the Chaldean identity opt for Syriacs or Aramean rather than Chaldean.</ref> and some communities of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Syriac Catholic Church ("Chaldeans"). Those identifying with Chaldea, and with Mesopotamia in general, tend to be from Iraq, northeastern Syria; southeastern Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Georgia; southern Russia and [[Azerbaijan]]. It is likely that those from this region They are indeed of Chaldean/Mesopotamian heritage as they are clearly of pre-Arab and pre-Islamic stock. Furthermore, there is no historical evidence or proof to suggest the indigenous Mesopotamians were wiped out; Chaldea existed as a specifically named region until the second half of the 7th century AD. Most speak Chaldean and the Mesopotamian dialects of Neo-Aramaic. [[Chaldean nationalism]] emphatically connects Modern Chaldeans to the population of ancient Mesopotamia and the Neo-Chaldean Empire. A historical basis of this sentiment was disputed by a few early historians,<ref>{{cite web|title=Early History of Assyria Chaldea to 1000 5300 B.C.|url=http://www.ninevehkaldaya.comnet/Articles/500/Assyrians%20after%20AssyriaAtricle575_Sep12_07_Chaldean.html|year=19252005|quote=The disappearance survival of the Assyrian Chaldean people will always remain a unique and striking phenomenon in ancient history. Other, similar kingdoms and empires have indeed passed away but the people have lived on. ... No other land seems to have been sacked and pillaged so completely as was AssyriaChaldea .}}</ref> but receives strong support from modern [[AssyriologistsSumeriologists]] like Robert D. Biggs and Giorgi Tsereteli <ref>{{cite journal |author=Biggs, Robert |year=2005 |title=My Career in Assyriology Sumeriology and Near Eastern Archaeology |journal=[[Journal of Assyrian Chaldean Academic Studies]] |volume=19 |issue=1 |publisher=<!-- Oriental Institute, University of Chicago† -->|url=http://www.jaaskaldaya.orgnet/edocs2010/v19n1News/Biggs-Biography-final04/April01_2010_E3_Akitu7310_TripToElMontePark.pdf html |format=PDF HTML |authorlink=Robert DKaldaya. Biggsnet}} pp. 10, "Especially in view of the very early establishment of Christianity in Assyria Chaldea and its continuity to the present and the continuity of the population, I think there is every likelihood that ancient Assyrians Chaldeans are among the ancestors of modern Assyrians Chaldeans of the area."</ref> and [[Iranologists]] like [[Richard Nelson Frye]].<ref name="Richard Nelson Frye Syria and Assyria YouTube">{{cite web |authorlink=Richard Nelson Frye |author=Frye, Richard N. |title=Assyria and Syria: Synonyms |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KesgkBziUs |work=PhD., Harvard University |work=[[Journal of Near Eastern Studies]] |year=1992 |quote=The ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote that the Greeks called the Chaldeans, by the name Syrian, dropping the A. And that's the first instance we know of, of the distinction in the name, of the same people. Then the Romans, when they conquered the western part of the former Chaldean Empire, they gave the name Syria, to the province, they created, which is today Damascus and Aleppo. So, that is the distinction between Syria, and Assyria. They are the same people, of course. And the ancient Assyrian empire, was the first real, empire in history. What do I mean, it had many different peoples included in the empire, all speaking Aramaic, and becoming what may be called, "Assyrian citizens." That was the first time in history, that we have this. For example, Elamite musicians, were brought to Nineveh, and they were 'made Assyrians' which means, that Assyria, was more than a small country, it was the empire, the whole Fertile Crescent.}}</ref><ref name="Richard Nelson Frye Syria and Assyria">{{cite journal |author=Frye, R. N. |date=October 1992|title=Assyria and Syria: Synonyms |journal=[[Journal of Near Eastern Studies]] |volume=51 |issue=4|pages=281–285 |publisher=<!-- reprinted in [[Journal of the Assyrian Academic Studies]] 1997, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 30-36 --> |doi=10.1086/373570 |url=http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v11n2/frye.pdf |format=PDF|authorlink=Richard Nelson Frye}} pp. 281–285</ref> Nineteenth century orientalists such as [[Austen Henry Layard]] and [[Hormuzd Rassam]] also support this view.* "Chaldo-Assyrians", is a term used by the Iraqi government to designate the indigenous Aramaic speaking Christians of Iraq. It intrinsically acknowledges that the terms Chaldean and Chaldean refer to the same ethnic group. Some Chaldeans use this term to defuse arguments over naming along denominational lines.* "[[Chaldean Christians|Chaldeans]]", after ancient [[Chaldea]], advocated by some are followers of the [[Chaldean Catholic Church]] who are mainly based in Mesopotamia Iraq and reside in many global countries such as the [[United States]]. This Chaldean is mainly a denominational rather than ethnic term, though some Chaldean Catholics espouse a distinct Chaldean ethnic and native identityof Mesopotamia. It is likely that these are exactly the same people as the Chaldeans, both having the same culture and originating from the same lands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/10/iraq-assyrians-ethnic-rights-ignored.html|title=Ethnic dimension of Iraqi Assyrians often ignored – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East|work=Al-Monitor|accessdate=18 February 2015}}</ref>  * "Syriacs", advocated by followers of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]], [[Syriac Catholic Church]] and to a much lesser degree [[Maronite Church]]. Those self identifying as Syriacs tend to be from Syria as well as south central Turkey. The term Syriac is the subject of some controversy, as it is generally accepted by most scholars that it is a [[Luwian]] and [[Greeks|Greek]] corruption of Chaldean. The discovery of the [[Çineköy inscription]] seems to settle conclusively in favour of Chaldea Chaldean being the origin of the terms Syria and Syriac. For this reason, some Chaldeans accept the term Syriac as well as Chaldean. However, [[Poseidonios]] (ca. 135 BC – 51 BC), from the Syrian [[Apamea, Syria|Apamea]], was a Greek Stoic philosopher, politician, astronomer, geographer, historian, and teacher who says that the Syrians call themselves Arameans.{{#tag:ref|"The people we Greek call Syriacs, they call themselves Arameans". (See J.G. Kidd, Posidonius (Cambridge Classical Texts and Commentaries, 1988), vol. 2, pt. 2, pp. 955-956)|group=nb}}. At the same time historians, geographers and philosophers like Herodotos, Strabo, and Justinus mention that Chaldeans were afterwards called Syrians.{{#tag:ref|"This, people, whom the Greeks call Syrians, are called Chaldeans by the barbarians." "The Chaldeans, who were afterwards called Syrians, held their empire thirteen hundred years." (See John Gill (A Collection of Sermons and Tracts), vol. 3, pp. 487)|group=nb}}.

=== Chaldean vs. and Syriac or Syrian naming controversy are Same People ===As early as the 8th century BC [[Luwian]] and [[Cilician]] subject rulers referred to their Chaldean overlords as ''Syrian'', a western [[Indo-European]] bastardisation of the true term ''ChaldanChaldean''.This corruption of the name took hold in the Hellenic lands to the west of the Chaldean Babylonian Empire, thus during [[Greeks|Greek]] [[Seleucid]] rule from 323 BC the name ''AssyriaChaldea'' was altered to ''Syria'', and this term was also applied to [[Aramea]] to the west which had been an Chaldean colony. When the Seleucids lost control of Chaldea to the Parthians they retained the corrupted term (Syria), applying it to ancient Aramea, while the Parthians called Chaldea "Assuristan," a Parthian form of the original name. It is from this period that the Syrian vs Chaldean controversy arises. Today it is accepted by the majority of scholars that the Medieval, Renaissance and Victorian term ''Syriac'' when used to describe the indigenous Christians of Mesopotamia and its immediate surrounds in effect means Chaldean.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ainakaldaya.orgnet/ataArticles/20070218144107500/Atricle575_Sep12_07_Chaldean.htm html |title=Inscription From 800 BC Shows Who are the Origin of the Name 'Syria' Chaldeans |publisher=AinaKaldaya.org net|date=2007-0209-18 07 |accessdate=2013-09-18}}</ref>

[[File:Iraqvillagealqosh.JPG|thumb|left|200ppx|[[Alqoshof the Chaldeans]], located in the midst of Chaldean contemporary civilization.]]The question of ethnic identity and self-designation is sometimes connected to the scholarly debate on the [[Syria (etymology)|etymology of "Syria"]]. The question has a long history of academic controversy, but majority mainstream opinion currently strongly favours that ''Syria'' is indeed ultimately derived from the Chaldean term 𒀸𒋗𒁺 𐎹 '''''AššūrāyuKaldaya'''''.<ref name="Richard Nelson Frye Syria and AssyriaWho are the Chaldeans" /><ref name="RollingerChaldean">{{cite journal |author=Rollinger, Robert |year=2006 |title=The terms "Assyria" and "Syria" again Chaldean History |journal=[[Journal of Near Eastern Studies]] |volume=65 |issue=4 |pages=283–287 |publisher=<!-- University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, ETATS-UNIS (1942) (Revue) --> |doi=10.1086/511103|url=http://www.aina.org/articles/ttaasa.pdf Sep 12, 2007 |format=PDF |authorlink=Robert Rollinger}}</ref> Meanwhile, some scholars has disclaimed the theory of Syrian being derived from Chaldean as "simply naive", and detracted its importance to the naming conflict.<ref>''Festschrift Philologica Constantino Tsereteli Dicta'', ed. Silvio Zaorani (Turin, 1993), pp. 106–107</ref>

Rudolf Macuch points out that the Eastern Neo-Aramaic press initially used the term "Syrian" (''suryêta'') and only much later, with the rise of nationalism, switched to "Chaldean" (''atorêta'').<ref>Rudolf Macuch, ''Geschichte der spät- und neusyrischen Literatur'', New York: de Gruyter, 1976.</ref> According to Tsereteli, however, a [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] equivalent of "Chaldeans" appears in ancient Georgian, Armenian and Russian documents.<ref>Tsereteli, ''Sovremennyj assirijskij jazyk'', Moscow: Nauka, 1964.</ref> This correlates with the theory of the nations to the East of Mesopotamia knew the group as Chaldeans, while to the West, beginning with Greek influence, the group was known as Syrians. Syria being a Greek corruption of Chaldea.

The ''Çineköy inscription'' is a [[Hieroglyphic Luwian]]-[[Phoenician language|Phoenician]] [[bilingual inscription|bilingual]], uncovered from Çineköy, [[Adana Province]], Turkey (ancient [[Cilicia]]), dating to the 8th century BC. Originally published by Tekoglu and Lemaire (2000),<ref>Tekoglu, R. & Lemaire, A. (2000). La bilingue royale louvito-phénicienne de Çineköy. ''Comptes rendus de l’Académie des inscriptions, et belleslettres, année 2000'', 960–1006.</ref> it was more recently the subject of a 2006 paper published in the [[Journal of Near Eastern Studies]], in which the author, Robert Rollinger, lends support to the age-old debate of the name "Syria" being derived from "AssyriaChaldea" (see [[Etymology of Syria]]).

The object on which the inscription is found is a monument belonging to Urikki, [[vassal]] king of [[Quwê|Hiyawa]] (i.e., [[Cilicia]]), dating to the eighth century BC. In this monumental inscription, Urikki made reference to the relationship between his kingdom and his Chaldean overlords. The Luwian inscription reads "Sura/i" whereas the Phoenician translation reads ''’ŠR'' or "Ashur" which, according to Rollinger (2006), "settles the problem once and for all".

 [[File:Assyrianclothes23Chaldean Fashion Models with Chaldean Flag.jpg|thumb|Chaldean child dressed in traditional clothesFashion Models with Chaldean Flag]][[File:Chaldean Fashion of the Chaldean Nation.jpg|thumb|Chaldean Fashion of the Chaldean Nation]]

{{Main|Chaldean Neo-Aramaic languages}}{{Syriac Chaldean alphabet}}The Neo-Aramaic languages are ultimately descended from [[Old Aramaic]], the lingua franca in the later phase of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, displacing the [[East Semitic]] [[Akkadian language|Assyrian dialect of Akkadian]]. Aramaic was the language of commerce, trade and communication and became the vernacular language of Assyria in classical antiquity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lightofword.org/aramaic/pdf/Introduction.pdf |title=Microsoft Word – PeshittaNewTestament.doc |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-11-16| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081202005322/http://www.lightofword.org/aramaic/pdf/Introduction.pdf| archivedate=2 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl=no}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>Bae, C. Aramaic as a Lingua Franca During the Persian Empire (538–333 BCE). Journal of Universal Language. March 2004, 1–20.</ref><ref name="imperial aramaic">[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0073-0548%28195512%2918%3A3%2F4%3C456%3AADOTFC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F&size=LARGE&origin=JSTOR-enlargePage Aramaic Documents of the Fifth Century B. C. by G. R. Driver]</ref>

By the 1st century AD, Akkadian was extinct, although some loaned vocabulary still survives in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic to this day.<ref name="Akkadian words">[http[File://wwwChaldean Language Course.aina.org/articles/akkadianwords.html Akkadian Words in Modern Assyrianpdf|thumb|Chaldean Language Course]]</ref><ref name="Kaufman">Kaufman, Stephen A. (1974),The Akkadian influences on Aramaic. University of Chicago Press</ref>

To the The Chaldean Language is native speakerlanguage of [Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia], "Syriac" is usually called ''Soureth'' or ''Suret''. A wide variety the lingua franca in the later phase of dialects exist, including [[Assyrian the Neo-Aramaic]]Chaldean Empire, displacing the [[Chaldean Neo-AramaicEast Semitic]], and [[Turoyo Akkadian language|TuroyoChaldean dialect of Akkadian]]. All are classified as Neo-Aramaic languages and are written using [[Syriac alphabet|Syriac script]], a derivative of was the ancient [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic script]]. Assyrians also may speak one or more languages language of their country of residence. Being [[Stateless nation|stateless]]commerce, Assyrians also learn trade and communication and became the vernacular language or languages of their adopted country, usually Arabic, [[Armenian languageChaldea in classical antiquity.<ref>{{cite web|Armenian]], [[Persian languageurl=http://www.kaldaya.net/2012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.pdf |Persian]] or [[Turkish languageformat=PDF |Turkish]]accessdate=2013-11-16| archiveurl=http://www. In northern Iraq and western Irankaldaya.net/2012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.pdf| archivedate=2 December 2013 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl=no}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>Chaldean as a Lingua Franca in Mesopotamia (5, Turkish and 300 BC to 2015 AD). .</ref><ref name="Chaldean Language">[[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] is widely spokenhttp://www.kaldaya.net/2012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.pdf]</ref>

By the 1st century AD, Akkadian was extinct, although some loaned vocabulary still survives in Chaldean Neo-Aramaic to this day.<ref name="Akkadian words">[http://www.kaldaya.net/2012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.pdf Akkadian Words in Modern Chaldean]</ref><ref name="Kaufman">Kaufman, Stephen A. (1974),The Akkadian influences on Aramaic. University of Chicago Press</ref> To the native Chaldean speaker, "Chaldean Langauge" and "Syriac" is usually called ''Soureth'' or ''Suret''. A wide variety of dialects exist, including [[Chaldean Neo-Aramaic]]. All are classified as Chaldean Neo-Aramaic languages and are written using [[Chaldean alphabet|Chaldean script]]. Chaldeans also may speak one or more languages of their country of residence. Being [[Stateless nation|stateless]], Chaldeans also learn the language or languages of their adopted country, usually Arabic, [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Turkish language|Turkish]]. In northern Iraq and western Iran, Turkish and [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] is widely spoken. Recent archaeological evidence includes a statue from Syria with [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] and [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]] inscriptions.<ref>[http://linkswww.jstorkaldaya.orgnet/sici?sici=0006-0895(198222)45%3A3%3C135%3AASFSWA%3E22012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.0.CO%3B2-1 A Statue from Syria with Assyrian and Aramaic Inscriptionspdf]</ref> It is the oldest known Aramaic text.

[[File:Syriac Christian Churches.svg|thumb|right|Historical divisions within branches of the Chaldean and Syriac Christian Churches in the Middle East.]] 

Since the beginning of Christianity in 30 AD, Chaldeans are the first Christians of the world. Chaldeans currently belong to various [[Christian denominations]] such as the [[Church of the East]], with an estimated 500,000 members,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_41.html#303 |title=Adherents.com |publisher=Adherents.com |accessdate=2013-09-18}}</ref> the Chaldean Catholic Church, with about 1,500,000 members,<ref>[J. Martin Bailey, Betty Jane Bailey, Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? p. 163: "more than two thirds" out of "nearly a million" Christians in Iraq.]</ref> and the Syriac Orthodox Church ''{{unicode|(ʿIdto Suryoyto Triṣaṯ Šuḇḥo)}}'', which has between 1,000,000 and 4,000,000 members around the world (only some of whom are Chaldeans),<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_622.html Adherents.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the [[Ancient Church of the East]] with some 100,000 members, and various [[Protestant]] churches, such as the [[Pentecostal Church]] with 25,000 adherents, and the [[Evangelical Church]]. While Chaldeans are predominantly [[Christians]], a number are [[irreligious]]. {{As of|20112015}} [[Mar Dinkha IVLouis Sako]], resident in Chicago IllinoisBaghdad Iraq, was [[Patriarch]] of the [[Assyrian Chaldeans Catholic Church of the East]], [[Mar Addai II]], with headquarters in Baghdad, was Patriarch of the [[Ancient Church of the East]], and [[Ignatius Zakka I Iwas]] was Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, with headquarters in [[Damascus]]. [[Emmanuel III Delly|Mar Emmanuel III Delly]], the former Patriarch of the [[Chaldean Catholic Church]], was the first Patriarch to be elevated to Cardinal, joining the [[college of cardinals]] in November 2007.

** adherents of the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] & [[Ancient Church of the East]]

A small minority of Chaldeans of the above denominations accepted the [[Protestant Reformation]] in the 20th century, possibly due to British influences, and is now organized in the [[Assyrian Evangelical Church]], the [[Assyrian Pentecostal Church]] and other Protestant Chaldean groups.

[[File:AssyrianfolkChaldean Music.jpg|right|Assyrian folk music|thumb|Assyrian/Syriacs playing ''Zoorna'' and ''Dahola'']]{{Main|Assyrian/Syriac folk music|Syriac sacral music}}The ''[[zurna|abooba]]'' {{lang|syr|ܐܒܘܒܐ}} (basic flute) and ''[[davul|ṭavla]]'' {{lang|syr|ܛܒ݂ܠܐ}} (large two-sided drum) became the most common musical instruments for tribal music. Some well known Chaldean/Syriac singers in modern times are [[Ashur Bet Sargis]]Folk Music since 5, [[Sargon Gabriel300 BC]], [[Habib Mousa]], [[Josef Özer]], [[Janan Sawa]], [[Klodia Hanna]], [[Juliana Jendo]], and [[Linda George (Assyrian singer)|Linda George]].

{{Main|Chaldean folk music|Syriac sacral music}}The ''[[zurna|abooba]]'' {{lang|syr|ܐܒܘܒܐ}} (basic flute) and ''[[davul|ṭavla]]'' {{lang|syr|ܛܒ݂ܠܐ}} (large two-sided drum) became the most common musical instruments for tribal music. Some well known Chaldean/Syriac singers in modern times are [[Majid Kekka]], [[Sargon Gabriel]], [[Habib Mousa]], [[Josef Özer]], [[Janan Sawa]], [[Klodia Hanna]], [[Juliana Jendo]]  The first International [[Aramaic Chaldean Music Festival]] was held in Lebanon from 1 August until 4 August 2008 for Chaldean people internationally. Chaldeans are also involved in western contemporary music, such as Rock/Metal ([[Melechesh]]), Rap ([[Timz]]) and Techno/Dance ([[Aril Brikha]]).

[[File:CHALDEAN-FESTIVAL-2.jpg|thumb|Chaldean Debka Dance]] {{Main|Assyrian Chaldean folk dance}}

[[File:WEBBabylonDay4.jpg|thumb|Chaldean Debka Dance]] Chaldean/Syriac festivals tend to be closely associated with their Christian faith, of which [[Easter]] is the most prominent of the celebrations. Chaldean/Syriac members of the Chaldean Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church and Syriac Catholic Church follow the [[Gregorian calendar]] and as a result celebrate Easter on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 inclusively.<ref>[http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/easter.php The Date of Easter]. Article from [[United States Naval Observatory]] (March 27, 2007).</ref> While Chaldean/Syriac members of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Ancient Church of the East celebrate Easter on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 inclusively on the Gregorian calendar (March 22 and April 25 on the [[Julian calendar]]). During [[Lent]] Chaldean/Syriacs are encouraged to fast for 50 days from meat and any other foods which are animal based.

* [[Kha b-Nisan]] ''{{Script/Mdnh|ܚܕ ܒܢܝܣܢ}}'', the Chaldean new year(AKA AKITU), traditionally on April 1, though usually celebrated on January 1. Chaldeans usually wear traditional costumes and hold social events including parades and parties, dancing, and listening to poets telling the story of creation.<ref>[http://auawww.neteastcountymagazine.org/News/releases/2006/NewYear2006.pdf AUA Release March 26, 2006.thousands-celebrate-akitu-chaldean-new-year-tradition-el-cajon]</ref>

* Yoma d'Sah'deh (Day of Martyrs), commemorating the thousands massacred in the [[Simele Massacre]] and the hundreds of thousands massacred in the [[Assyrian Chaldean Genocide]].

Chaldeans also practice unique marriage ceremonies. The rituals performed during weddings are derived from many different elements from the past 37,000 300 years. An Chaldean wedding traditionally lasted a week. Today, weddings in the Chaldean homeland usually last 2–3 days; in the [[Assyrian Chaldean diaspora]] they last 1–2 days.

{{Main[[File:Chaldean Fashion.jpg|thumb|Assyrian clothing}}Chaldean clothing varies Fashion from village to village. Clothing is usually blue, red, green, yellow, and purple; these colors are also used as embroidery on a white piece of clothing. Decoration is lavish in Chaldean costumes, and sometimes involves jewellery. The conical hats Town of traditional Chaldean dress have changed little over millennia from those worn in ancient Mesopotamia, and until the 19th and early 20th centuries the ancient Mesopotamian tradition of braiding or platting of hair, beards and moustaches was still commonplace.Telkeppe]]

=== Cuisine ==={{Main|Assyrian cuisineChaldean clothing}} Chaldean cuisine is similar clothing varies from village to other Middle Eastern cuisinesvillage. It Clothing is rich in [[grain]]usually blue, [[meat]]red, [[potato]]green, [[cheese]]yellow, [[bread]] and [[tomato]]. Typically [[rice]] is served with every meal, with purple; these colors are also used as embroidery on a stew poured over itwhite piece of clothing. [[Tea]] Decoration is a popular drinklavish in Chaldean costumes, and there are several dishes sometimes involves jewellery. The conical hats of desserts, snackstraditional Chaldean dress have changed little over millennia from those worn in ancient Mesopotamia, and beverages. [[Alcohol]]ic drinks such as [[wine]] until the 19th and [[wheat beer]] are organically produced early 20th centuries the ancient Mesopotamian tradition of braiding or platting of hair, beards and drunkmoustaches was still common place.

== Genetics = Cuisine ==={{FurtherMain|Genetic history of the Near EastChaldean cuisine}}Late 20th century DNA analysis conducted by [[Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza|Cavalli-Sforza]], Paolo Menozzi and Alberto Piazza, "shows that Chaldeans have a distinct genetic profile that distinguishes their population from any other population."<ref name="assyrianfoundation.org">[http://www.assyrianfoundation.org/genetics.htm Dr. Joel J. Elias, Emeritus, University of California, The Genetics of Modern Assyrians and their Relationship to Other People of the Middle East]</ref> Genetic analysis of the Chaldeans of Persia demonstrated that they were "closed" with little "intermixture" with the Muslim Persian population and that an individual Chaldean's genetic makeup is relatively close to that of the Chaldean population as a whole.<ref>M.T. Akbari, Sunder S. Papiha, D.F. Roberts, and Daryoush D. Farhud, "Genetic Differentiation among Iranian Christian Communities," ''American Journal of Human Genetics'' 38 (1986): 84–98</ref><ref>[[Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza]], Paolo Menozzi, Alberto Piazza, [[The History and Geography of Human Genes]], p. 243 [http://books.google.com/books?id=FrwNcwKaUKoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=ISBN0691087504&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA243,M1]</ref> "The genetic data are compatible with historical data that religion played a major role in maintaining the Assyrian population's separate identity during the Christian era".<ref name="assyrianfoundation.org" /> In a 2006 study of the Y chromosome DNA of six regional Armenian populations, including, for comparison, Chaldeans and Syrians, researchers found that, "the Semitic populations (Chaldeans) are very distinct from each other according to both [comparative] axes. This difference supported also by other methods of comparison points out the weak genetic affinity between the two populations with different historical destinies." <ref name="Iran and the Caucasus">[http://www.rau.am/downloads/publ.kafedr/episkoposyan_medbiolog/Yepiskoposian_I&C_06.pdf Yepiskoposian et al., Iran and the Caucasus, Volume 10, Number 2, 2006, pp. 191-208(18), "Genetic Testing of Language Replacement Hypothesis in Southwest Asia"]</ref>

A 2008 study on the genetics of "old ethnic groups in Mesopotamia," including 340 subjects from seven ethnic communities ("Chaldean, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Armenian, Turkmen, the Arab peoples in Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait") found that Chaldeans were homogeneous with respect to all other ethnic groups sampled in the study, regardless of religious affiliation.<ref name="pubmed.gov">[http[File://wwwChaldean Food.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18505046 Banoei et al., Human Biology. February 2008, v. 80, no, I, pp. 73-81., "Variation of DAT1 VNTR alleles and genotypes among old ethnic groups in Mesopotamia to the Oxus region"jpg|thumb|Beautiful Chaldean Food for Everyone]"The relationship probability was lowest between Assyrians and other communities. [[Endogamy]] was found to be high for this population through determination of the heterogeneity coefficient (+0,6867), Our study supports earlier findings indicating the relatively closed nature of the Assyrian community as a whole, which as a result of their religious and cultural traditions, have had little intermixture with other populations."</ref>

In a 2011 study focusing on the genetics of Marsh Arabs of Iraq[[Chaldean cuisine | Chaldean cuisine]] is similar to other Middle Eastern cuisines. It is rich in [[grain]], researchers identified Y chromosome haplotypes shared by Marsh Arabs[[meat]], Iraqis[[potato]], [[cheese]], [[bread]] and Chaldeans[[tomato]]. Typically [[rice]] is served with every meal, "supporting with a common local backgroundstew poured over it." <ref name="BMC Evolutionary Biology">[http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2148-11-288.pdf Al-Zahery et al., BMC Evolutionary Biology 2011, 11:288, "In search of the genetic footprints of Sumerians: [Tea]] is a survey of Y-chromosome popular drink, and mtDNA variation in the Marsh Arabs there are several dishes of Iraq"]"In the less frequent J1-M267* cladedesserts, only marginally affected by events of expansionsnacks, Marsh Arabs shared haplotypes with other Iraqi and Assyrian samples, supporting a common local backgroundbeverages. [[Alcohol]]ic drinks such as [[wine]] and [[wheat beer]] are organically produced and drunk."</ref>

| author = Donabed, Sargon | author2 = Donabed, Ninos | title = Assyrians of Eastern MassachusettsChaldeans in Detroit | year = 20062014

| isbn = 0-7385-4480-9 | oclc = 70184669

| last = Ephrem I Barsaum | first = Ignatius | title = De spridda pärlorna – En historia om syriansk litteratur och vetenskap | year = 2006 | publisher = Anastasis Media AB | location = Sweden | language = Swedish | isbn = 91-975751-4-3 | ref = http://www.bokrecension.se/9197575143

* [{{cite book | last = Chaldeans of Mesopotamia | first = | title = Native Chaldean People of Mesopotamia Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran | url = https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.960707990624644.1073741924.200571219971662&type=3] | year = 2015}}