TDBB Provided Support for the 516th Ayvaz Dede Festivals

As part of the Ayvaz Dede Festivals, the longest-running traditional event in Bosnia and Herzegovina, participants carrying ceremonial banners departed from various cities several days in advance and arrived in the morning at Prusac (Akhisar), where the central program took place.

The participants then walked to the rocky site where, according to tradition, Ayvaz Dede prayed for forty days and forty nights during a severe drought 516 years ago, after which water miraculously sprang forth.

As part of the program, Bosnian hymns were performed.

The Turkish Armed Forces Mehter Band also gave a concert, while Turkish scouts participated in the event.

The Ayvaz Dede Festivals concluded with a congregational noon prayer following recitations from the Holy Qur'an and hymns performed by Turkish and Bosnian hafizes.

About Ayvaz Dede

Ayvaz Dede, originally from Akhisar in Manisa, was one of the Khorasan dervishes who came from Anatolia to the Balkans, like Sarı Saltuk, for the purpose of spiritual guidance.

According to tradition, 516 years ago, during a period of severe drought, Ayvaz Dede came to the mountain near the town of Prusac (Akhisar) in Donji Vakuf, where the festivals are held today.

To bring water to a region suffering from famine and where livestock were dying of thirst, Ayvaz Dede worshipped and prayed there for forty days and forty nights. One night, he dreamed of two rams colliding with each other. Awakened by the sound of their horns, he found that the mountain before him had split apart and a river was flowing abundantly from it. Thus, the region gained access to water, and the drought came to an end. According to tradition, many people embraced Islam after witnessing this miracle.

Every year, festivals are held at this historic site where, according to tradition, Ayvaz Dede miraculously brought water to the people of the region 516 years ago.