The Healing Power of Spices: 484th International Manisa Mesir Macunu Festival
When we think of spices, we think of India, but spices are also very important for Türkiye. Every year, the International Mesir Macunu festival is organized in Manisa, which is made from 41 kinds of spices and is believed to have healing power.
The International Mesir Macunu Festival, which could not be held for 4 years due to the pandemic and earthquake, was held for the 484th time this year in Manisa Türkiye. There were colorful images at the festival, which is on the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
In addition to the local teams, the folk dance teams of the guest countries participating in the cortege of the festival, which is celebrated during the Nevruz week, which heralds the arrival of spring, took part in the cortege with their culture-specific clothes and local music, creating colourful images.
Upon the increasing demand from the people, she ordered the paste wrapped in paper to be scattered to the people from the domes and minarets of the Sultan Mosque, which she himself had built. The people spontaneously gathered in front of the Sultan Mosque on 21 March every year and thus Manisa Mesir Festivities were born. (1539)
The International Mesir Macunu Festival, which could not be held for 4 years due to the pandemic and earthquake, was held for the 484th time this year in Manisa Türkiye. There were colorful images at the festival, which is on the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
In addition to the local teams, the folk dance teams of the guest countries participating in the cortege of the festival, which is celebrated during the Nevruz week, which heralds the arrival of spring, took part in the cortege with their culture-specific clothes and local music, creating colourful images.
What is Mesir Macunu Festival?
Mesir macunu is an edible paste that is believed to have health benefits and has historical references. Hafsa Sultan, the wife of the Ottoman Sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim and the mother of Suleiman the Magnificent, fell ill while she was in Manisa. Unable to find a cure for her illness, Merkez Efendi, who was brought to the head of the Sultan Mosque Madrasah built by the Sultan, prepared a paste consisting of a mixture of bikri and spices. Hafsa Sultan, who regained her health by eating this paste prepared by mixing 41 kinds of spices, asked for this paste to be given to the patients.Upon the increasing demand from the people, she ordered the paste wrapped in paper to be scattered to the people from the domes and minarets of the Sultan Mosque, which she himself had built. The people spontaneously gathered in front of the Sultan Mosque on 21 March every year and thus Manisa Mesir Festivities were born. (1539)
