New Year's arrival celebrated with Gağan tradition in Tunceli

In Tunceli, an event was held by several associations to revive the "Gağan" tradition, which has been on the verge of disappearing.

During the event, three people wearing local costumes performed dances to the sound of drums and zurnas on the streets of the Moğultay neighborhood. The group also visited local shopkeepers and celebrated the new year with the citizens they encountered. The event, which continued with traditional halay dances at Kışla Square, ended with the distribution and communal sharing of the collected food.

Mehmet Yüksel, who participated in the event, said that the "Gağan" tradition is used to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one.

Stating that "Gağan" signifies cleanliness, justice, and sharing, Yüksel said, "Furthermore, during Gağan, the graves of those who have passed away are visited. Gağan is one of the most important beliefs that keeps this community standing. It used to be performed in villages, but now it is also being held in cities to keep it alive."

Yüksel noted that shopkeepers were visited to the sound of drums and zurnas, adding, "We share the collected food at the end of the event. Gağan is, in a way, about sharing and supporting people in need."

Cemal Akbayin also mentioned that "Gağan" events continue in the city for approximately one month.

Explaining that they are reviving the tradition by wearing local costumes, Akbayin said, "The 3 people in our group have separate roles. We perform dances with drums and zurnas and visit the shopkeepers. We celebrate the new year of the children, young people, and elderly we encounter."