Yazidis mark age-old olive oil tradition in Lalish
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Yazidis held their annual traditional olive oil-making ceremony called “Khilmata Mahsara Zayte” in Lalish Temple on Wednesday.
The Yazidis believe that participating in the ceremony helps fulfil their wishes, and it is held every year at the end of March or beginning of April.
Producing olive oil in Lalish has its own unique process.
The women clean and prepare the olives while the men extract the oil by physically crushing the fruit.
“It is believed that anyone who serves here with a pure heart will have their service recorded by God, and their wishes granted,” Amr Mahmoud, a participant at the ceremony, told Rudaw’s Ayub Nasri on Wednesday.
The tradition is regarded as sacred by Yazidis, as the oil is used to illuminate the lights of Lalish.
Located in the Lalish village in the district of Sheikhan in the Kurdistan Region, the temple is the holiest site in the Yezidi religion. It also houses the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a 12th century Muslim sheikh who is considered to be the manifestation of Tawûsê Melek (Peacock Angel) by Yazidis.
Yazidis from across the globe head towards the holy Lalish Temple to participate in religious rituals and traditional ceremonies throughout the year.
The Yazidis believe that participating in the ceremony helps fulfil their wishes, and it is held every year at the end of March or beginning of April.
Producing olive oil in Lalish has its own unique process.
The women clean and prepare the olives while the men extract the oil by physically crushing the fruit.
“It is believed that anyone who serves here with a pure heart will have their service recorded by God, and their wishes granted,” Amr Mahmoud, a participant at the ceremony, told Rudaw’s Ayub Nasri on Wednesday.
The tradition is regarded as sacred by Yazidis, as the oil is used to illuminate the lights of Lalish.
Located in the Lalish village in the district of Sheikhan in the Kurdistan Region, the temple is the holiest site in the Yezidi religion. It also houses the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a 12th century Muslim sheikh who is considered to be the manifestation of Tawûsê Melek (Peacock Angel) by Yazidis.
Yazidis from across the globe head towards the holy Lalish Temple to participate in religious rituals and traditional ceremonies throughout the year.