Hebilköy residents uphold seven-century-old "Kırk Kurbanı" tradition

One of the oldest Turkish traditions still observed in Western Thrace, the "Kırk Kurbanı" (Forty Sacrifices), continues to thrive in the village of Hebilköy, where it has been celebrated for over seven centuries.

Located in the Mehrikoz region under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Kozlukebir, Hebilköy gains regional recognition each year for preserving this deep-rooted religious tradition.

The ceremony takes place at the foot of the mountain facing the village. As part of the event, sacrificial animals are slaughtered, and the meat is cooked in large cauldrons to be served to male and female guests alike.

This year’s ceremony was held on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Not only did the people of Hebilköy attend, but also hundreds of compatriots from surrounding villages gathered to participate in the event.

The event was honored by the presence of many distinguished guests, including Turkish Consul General in Komotini Aykut Ünal and his wife Ilayda Ünal, Deputy Consul Adnan Öztürk, New Left Party MP Özgür Ferhat, Deputy Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Rıdvan Molla İsa, Rıdvan Hacı Mehmet, Regional Advisor Ahmet Osman Pehlivan, Kozlukebir Mayor Erdem Hüseyin, Deputy Mayor Özkan Yusuf, Mehrikoz Regional Vice President Osman Hoca Osman, Hebilköy Council Member Ali Kırmıcı, FEP Party Deputy Chairman Metin Hacıosman, President of the Western Thrace Minority Culture and Education Company Hüseyin Bostancı, Soufli Municipal Councilor Mehmet Çilingir, Küçük Derbent Village Headman Mehmet Bostancı, Mehrikoz Village Headman Bilal Koçançı, along with numerous community leaders and local officials.

Following the call to noon prayer, participants gathered for congregational prayer. Afterwards, Consul General Aykut Ünal delivered a speech, expressing his pleasure in attending such a meaningful and historic tradition.

The event concluded with a communal meal, where all attendees were served food prepared as part of the sacrificial ceremony.