Koyun Baba Commemoration and Pilaf Day in Osmancık

The “Commemoration ceremonies” section of the book 2006 Yılında Çorum’da Yaşayan Geleneksel Kutlamalar (Traditional Celebrations Living in Çorum in 2006), published by the Turkish Folklore Society of Hitit University, holds a record from Osmancık titled Koyun Baba’yı Anma ve Pilav Günü (Koyun Baba Commemoration and Pilaf Day). It was collected in Osmancık on 3 May 2006 from two informants from Osmancık, born in 1934 and 1925. The book’s text spells the name “Koyunbaba”. What follows is based on this record and reflects the account given in the year of collection.

Timing and name

According to the record, celebrations called “Koyunbaba Commemoration Day” are held in Osmancık over three days in the first week of September. Because rice grows abundantly in the district and is well known, “pilaf days” are also organised, and pilaf is handed out at almost every festivity. Since pilaf is also given out in Koyun Baba’s name to those gathered on the commemoration days, the record says the occasion later came to be called “Koyunbaba Commemoration and Pilaf Day” (Geleneksel Kutlamalar, p. 61). For the district’s rice see Osmancık Rice.

Place and preparations

The commemoration takes place on the wide ground beside the Koyun Baba Mausoleum. Posters are prepared and distributed for the day, and everyone completes their preparations a week or two in advance (Geleneksel Kutlamalar, p. 61).

The three-day programme

• First day: A mevlit (the poem on the Prophet’s birth) is recited at the tomb; then pilaf is handed out, churned ayran is made, votive animals are slaughtered and lokma (food shared as a pious gift) is given to those present. On the first day helva is always made and distributed in Koyun Baba’s name.
• Second day: Hymns are sung in the open, stories about Koyun Baba are told and information about his life is given, conveying the meaning and importance of the day. All the food served on these days is prepared and handed out by benefactors; those who wish bring dishes cooked at home, and everything brought is shared with others. The record says that in this way a day is spent in unity and togetherness in keeping with Koyun Baba’s teachings.
• Third day: Group circumcision ceremonies are held in the morning and a festivity is organised, with traditional games and contests such as tug of war, songs, poems and sack races. Housewives present the traditional dishes of Osmancık, and the best are chosen and rewarded. A folk-dance team performs the dances of the area, and in the evening a local artist gives a concert.

According to the record, visits to the tomb continue throughout the three days, and many guests come from other districts as well. The photographs section of the book includes pictures of the pilaf handed out in Koyun Baba’s name and of the tomb where the commemoration is held (Geleneksel Kutlamalar, pp. 61-62, 72). For Çorum’s traditional dances see Çorum Folk Dances.

Koyun Baba and related places

The record gives no information on Koyun Baba’s life or on how long the commemoration has been held. For who Koyun Baba was and his tie to Osmancık see Akşemseddin and Koyun Baba: Two Saints of Osmancık; for the Ottoman bridge named after him see Koyun Baba Bridge; for the history and architecture of the tomb see Koyun Baba Mausoleum.

Notes

The book gives the record in the informants’ words; the programme described is the practice in the year of collection. For other records in the same book see Aşure Day, Muharrem and Gadir-i Hum Customs in Çorum, Koç Katımı and At Kesme Ceremonies in Çorum, Tepreş Festivities in Sungurlu and Hıdırellez Traditions in Çorum.

Sources

• M. Öcal Oğuz and Tuğçe Işıkhan (eds.), 2006 Yılında Çorum’da Yaşayan Geleneksel Kutlamalar, Hitit Üniversitesi Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi Türk Halkbilimi Topluluğu Yayınları: 6, Ankara 2006, pp. 61-62 (Koyun Baba Commemoration and Pilaf Day recording), 72 (photographs). https://hacibayram.edu.tr/api/files/1/Hac%C4%B1bayram%20AHBV/thbmer(tr-TR)/GELENEKSEL%20KUTLAMALAR.pdf