WHAT IS HIDIRELLEZ ? 

    Hıdrellez (Ederlezi) is a word which is combined of the names Hızır and Ilyas in colloquial language. It is a folk festival that has a religious content and it is based on the ancient Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Anatolian summer holidays before Islam. Hıdrellez is considered to be the day when prophets of Hızır and Ilyâs, who are believed to have reached the secret of immortality among the people and who are believed to help those who are stuck on land and the other in the sea, come together once a year. However, in this union, although his name was kept alive, the personality of Ilyâs was completely erased in practice and the concept of Hızır was highlighted. Therefore, all the ceremonies performed on this holiday are related to Hızır. The main reason for this is that the superhuman whose cults were celebrated on the occasion of this summer festival in the area where the three great cultures mentioned above were dominant in pre-Islamic times, were more in line with the personality of Hızır and identified with him.

WHEN AND HOW IS HIDIRELLEZ CELEBRATED?

    Hıdırellez is celebrated between 5 and 6 May every year and it includes many events and traditional customs. It is believed that the day is special as it is the reunion of Hızır and İlyas on earth and Hızır, who punishes the wicked, helps in difficulties and brings abundance, will fulfil all wishes. Therefore, various rituals are performed for these wishes. According to traditions, on the day of Hıdırellez, people they jump over fire and have fun through many different activities and festivals.

WHERE IS HIDIRELLEZ CELEBRATED? 

    Hıdrellez celebrations are generally held on the green, wooded areas which are close to the water's edge. This kind of places are also called Hıdırlık. It is a tradition to eat fresh herbs and fresh lamb meat or lamb liver on Hıdırellez. It is believed that the first lamb of spring will bring health and remedy.

TRADITIONS OF HIDIRELLEZ:

JUMPING OVER THE FIRE 

    On the night of Hıdırellez which is May 5, people jump over the fire 3 times and makes wishes. It is believed that their wishes will become true that year.  

WALKING AROUND THE GREEN AREAS

    Green areas are considered to be visited by Hızır and that's why people walk around these places and pick up flowers, play games and eat the first lamb of spring. Flowers and plants collected are put in the water and people wash their faces with that in the morning of Hıdırellez. This water is said to be good for the face.

STICK OF HIZIR

    In some regions, it is believed that the stick of Hızır will kill pains and cure diseases if it is hits on where it hurts.

HOLDİNG CEREMONIES FOR SINGLES

    Special ceremonies helping singles to get married are held. Ladies who want to get married throw their rings and ear rings into a pot. Then, some water is added in the pot and it is closed. The pot is left under a rose tree during the night. The next day, the ladies get back their rings and ear rings by saying chants and songs. 

MAKING YOGHURT

    For Hıdırellez, yogurt is incubated with no yeast in it. If the yoghurt is thick, that means Hızır has visited that home. Yoghurt fermented with the dewdrops is used as yeast for the whole year. These dewdrops are specially collected from the plants at the time between the morning adhan and sunrise.  Black sesame is added on the yoghurt o protect from evil eye.    

MAKING A MUD HOUSE

     A mud house is made and wheat is placed in it as a symbol of prosperity. It is thought that wheat will bring wealth and prosperity to the house that year. The lids of legume jars are left open for the whole day so that prosperity is welcomed  in the house. 

WEARING WHITE DRESSES AS SYMBOL OF PURITY 

    People in Anatolia usually wear white dresses and go to the green areas or water's edge before sunrise. Celebrations are held in greenery, wooded other, on the water's edge, or sometimes nea ra tomb. That's why these places are also called as Hıdırlık.