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Writer's pictureDemir Ali İşcanoğlu

HIDIRELLEZ


A night that brings people from the Balkans to Middle Asia, a celebration that is an example of the synthesis of cultures all over the world, the festival of the beginning of the summer: Hıdırellez. Hıdırellez is usually celebrated in early May -the night that links the 5th to the 6th of May in Turkey- and it heralds the coming of summer. Its roots are in the deep-seated myths of Al-Khidr and Elijah. Both of these beliefs have places in many religions all over the world.

An example of the celebration of Hıdırellez in Crimea

Al-Khidr is usually associated with Islam but we can see similar figures in pre-Islamic traditions. According to what is believed, Al-Khidr has been blessed with immortality and wisdom by God and he comes to the assistance of those in need of help. Moreover, in the tradition of Hıdırellez, Al-Khidr symbolizes the seas.

A painting of Al-Khidr

Elijah takes much more place in Christianity. According to Christian documents, he’s an immortal prophet blessed with lots of miracles including resurrection and entering heaven alive. Likewise Al-Khidr, he succors and aids those in misery. He also represents the sea and he’s said to be “the guardian and the ruler of the seas”.

A painting of Elijah

It’s believed that Al-Khidr and Elijah meet* at the land to help people on the night of Hıdırellez. Thus, people do some rituals hoping that their wishes will come true. It is believed that everything that Al-Khidr touches becomes blessed. So people leave their food containers, warehouses’ and money bags mouths open for plentifulness. Besides, roses are used to convey wishes to Al-Khidr and Elijah. People either write their wishes on a piece of paper and bury it under a rosewood or tie red ribbons to rosewoods while whispering their wishes.

*That’s why it’s also said as “the meeting of two seas”. Because both Al-Khidr and Elijah are associated with the seas.

A rose tree

As the forerunner of hot weather, people light wood piles and jump over them for good luck.


A person jumping over a Hıdırellez fire

P.S.: This person was not harmed.

There are many alternatives to crave wishes like these. Therefore, there are many ways to celebrate the coming of summer. Don’t forget to write down your wishes and bury them under a rose tree. Let’s see if Al-Khidr and Elijah will make them come true or not.

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