By Talha Ozturk
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina
On the occasion of Ashura day, or so-called Noah's meal day, the people of the Bosnia and Herzegovina capital of Sarajevo keep the Islamic tradition alive.
One of the special places where one can experience the celebrations is the dervish lodge of Hajji Sinan's Tekke.
Prepared in giant cauldrons, the Ashura cooking tradition has been carried out at the lodge for about 500 years.
Sead Halilagic, from the Dervis of Hajji Sinan’s Tekke, told Anadolu Agency the tradition of cooking ashura had been carried out since the lodge was built in 1640 during the Ottoman period.
Sead said: "The Ashura cooking tradition has existed in Bosnia and Herzegovina for about 500 years. Even though ashura was cooked only at homes and only in a small amount due to the existing conditions at the time, the tradition has been maintained by the Bosnians."
Inherited tradition
"Over the centuries. people and the facilities of ashura cooking have changed. but the tradition of cooking the meal had been kept alive up to today," Sead added.
Sead said everyone at the Tekke intended to keep the unique tradition going for the generations to come.
"Ashura cooking tradition continues to be kept live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily at historical Hajji Sina's Tekke, as well as at many homes," Sead said.
In the meantime, ordinary citizens joined the celebration of Ashura day. preparing the desert at homes in the capital of Bosnia.
Makbula Mutevelic, the resident in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Sarajevo, said the tradition of cooking Ashura had been inherited from her mother and mother-in-law and would be carried on through future generations by her daughter and daughter-in-law.
"After the cooking of Ashura. we put them into the bowls and serve it to our neighbors to mark this special day with them," explained Mutevelic.
Tale of Noah
Traditionally, the Ashura meal is related to the story of the prophet Noah.
It is believed that it was prepared and served when his ark sailed in search of land after the Great Flood.
Food supplies were depleted and passengers prepared the meal using the remaining food and shared it.
In Bosnia, traditionally, Ashura can be prepared out of 77 ingredients and is shared with neighbors and relatives.
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