They pray by eating the soil of the tomb

In the village of Kızılöz, located approximately 10 kilometers from the Tokat city center, citizens come to the tomb every year on the Friday between April 15 and 18 to pray and seek healing.

Citizens coming from surrounding villages eat the soil of the tomb and cut its grass while making their intentions.

Those who visit the tomb, which the villagers call 'Cevher' (the essence), make wishes while cutting the grass around the tomb and taking its soil. The money given in exchange for the collected grass is used for the needs of the village mosque.

"SOIL IS EATEN FOR HEALING"

Drawing attention to the importance of the tradition, village resident Şerife Erçoban said, "According to the old calendar, visits were made here once a year for three days on the first Friday of April. They would cut the grass and take the soil. Soil is eaten for healing. They pay for the grass, and the money collected at the end of the visit was given to the mosque. This 'essence' was used for every intention," she said.

"EVERYONE SEEKS A SOLUTION HERE"

Emphasizing both the spiritual and social aspects of the visits, Selman Erçoban stated, "People come here for whatever their intention may be, so that it may come true. Relatives are visited, and prayers are said for our ancestors. Everyone who had a problem would come here and seek a solution," he expressed.

"OUR VILLAGE ELDERS MUST KEEP THIS TRADITION ALIVE"

Stating that the tradition has begun to be forgotten, Havva Çifçier made a call, saying, "This is a 200-year-old tradition, perhaps even older. An intention is made, the 'essence' is taken, and it is brought into contact with the mouth. However, this tradition has been forgotten. Where are our village headman and our elders? It is their duty to keep this tradition alive," she said.