Month: April 2017

What is Hidirellez ? Hidirellez  is one of the most important bayrams in Turkey and celebrates the arrival of spring. The period between May 6 and November 8 was classed as summer, called the “Days of Hızır”, and the period between November 8 and May 6 was winter, called the “Days of Kasım”. Therefore, May 6th represents the end of winter and the start of summer, a cause for celebration. On the day of Hidirellez , Prophets Hızır (Al-Khadir) and Ilyas (Elijah) are believed to have met on earth. Hidirellez  falls on 6th May for the Gregorian calender and 23rd April (St George’s Day) for the Julian calender. History The ancient Turks had many rituals that celebrated spring and summer. Many of these traditions came from nomads in Central Asia before spreading west into Turkey. Turkey was also greatly influenced by the majority Christian religion of the time. One of those elements was the cult of St. George which has been blended into the cult of Hızır. There is a delicious irony that the far-right groups of the UK spend a large amount of time claiming to be the direct heirs of a Turkish/Syrian soldier! After converting to Islam, the Turkish people have integrated the spring and summer festivals with the Hızır cult. One belief suggests that Hızır has attained immortality by drinking the water of life. He wanders the earth, especially in the spring, and helps people in difficulty. People see him as a source of health and vitality, as the festival takes place in spring, a time of new life. This take place after the three Cemres. Beliefs: Hızır rushes to the aid of people, who are in difficulty and grants peoples’ wishes. He always helps well-meaning, benevolent people. Brings plenty and wealth wherever he stops. He brings remedies to those who