Konya's Shivl tradition being kept alive in Western Thrace
In the village of Sahin in Xanthi, the tradition of Konya's Shiv is kept alive with the tradition of "Candy Collection" on the days of Kandil. The tradition of small children in the village going from house to house on Candlemas days, congratulating the people and collecting sweets continues.
Similar practices are also found in other villages. On the day of Kandil, children who go from house to house are given different treats or money.
According to the tradition that has been practised in Şahin village for years, children get up early on the day of the holy day, wear clean and beautiful clothes and visit the houses in the village one by one. The elders offer sweets and chocolates to the children who celebrate the holy days of the villagers. The child who collects the most sweets is declared "first".
The tradition of "collecting sweets" continued also this candlemas. Western Thrace Muslim Turkish children who took advantage of the good weather on the occasion of Berat Kandil continued the tradition of collecting "Kandil Candy".
Photo: yenihaberden.com
