May Turkish Legend

 

Tinder in Tea Legend

 

The pearl of Elazig folk dances, Çayda Çıra, is played in a dark place with hand-held plates and candles placed on plates. Various legends are told about the birth of this folk dance, which has a great role in the national and international promotion of Elazig and is almost a symbol. The most common of these legends is as follows: There is a wedding in a village on the banks of the Harıngit Stream, which separates Uluova from the middle. The son of one of the notables of this village is getting married. It is eaten, drunk, and enjoyed for days. It is now the last night of the wedding. The entertainment continues with all its enthusiasm and beauty. Suddenly the moon is eclipsed. This event is not interpreted very favorably. Those who attend the wedding interpret this as bad luck. The guests will be nervous. The joy of the wedding escapes, its enthusiasm freezes. The groom's mother, Pembe Hatun, is very upset about this situation. He collects all the candles in the village, arranges them on plates and puts them in the hands of those there. He himself takes the lead and begins to play in the light of candles. The players immediately find a suitable music for this game. The guests are excited, the fun continues. Thus, the play and melody of kindling emerges in tea. Today, this game is played during the tradition of bringing the bridegroom and bride to the presence of the guests in Elazig.