Bingöl village celebrates 300-year-old Ömer Dede tradition

Approximately 2,000 people gathered in Alaattin village, located in the Genç district of Bingöl, to participate in the traditional Ömer Dede (also known as Kal-Emu) festival. The event, which has been maintained for roughly 300 years, involves visiting the tomb of Ömer Dede, a figure believed to be the village founder and a scholar.

During the ceremony, participants sacrifice goats and share communal meals prepared in large cauldrons. Local residents believe the tradition is vital for the community's well-being, noting that past interruptions to the festival coincided with natural misfortunes such as droughts, locust infestations, and landslides.

The annual gathering, held on the third Thursday of August, serves as a significant social reunion for villagers, including those living in distant cities like Adana, Elazığ, and Diyarbakır. Local officials and community leaders attended the event, which continues to be passed down through generations to preserve local heritage.