[1] Khidr (Arabic: ٱلْخَضِر, romanized: al-Khaḍir), also transcribed as al-Khadir, Khader, Khizr, al-Khidr, Khazer, Khadr, Khedher, Khizir, and Khizar, is a figure described but not mentioned by name in the Quran as a righteous servant of God possessing great wisdom or mystic knowledge.
In various Islamic and non-Islamic traditions, Khidr is described as a messenger, prophet, wali, slave, or angel who guards the sea, teaches secret knowledge, and aids those in distress.
Other names for the celebration used in different regions of Turkey are "Hıdrellez, Hızır-ilyas, Ederlez, Tepreş, Haftamal, Eğrice", and also "Kakava"[4] among Roma in Edirne and Kırklareli.
In Azerbaijan the day is known as Xızır Nəbi bayramı, while Azeri communities in Georgia simply call it Xıdr Nabe.
When the earth was dressed in green, they gathered under trees and sacrificed horses or oxen to honor God and then they assembled in the shape of a circle and drank kumiss (beverage of western and central Asia which is made from the fermented milk of a mare or camel -also koumiss-) together.
It can be said that Turkish people have been quite familiar with rituals practiced in spring and summer seasons according to their belief system, cultural pattern and social life in Central Asia before immigrating to the West (Turkey and Balkans).
After converting to Islam, Turks have culturally blended the aforementioned spring and summer celebrations with Hızır cult, who is widely accepted as a supernatural personality closely associated with air, plants and water.
The immigrant Turkish peoples were introduced by seasonal celebrations which are, particularly rooted in ancient Anatolian culture, held in spring or early summer and formed under the influence of Christianity.
People, Muslims and Christians, regardless of their religious affiliation, celebrate the living Alkhidr prophet that is St. George or Mar Georgeos.
People go to picnic to the natural places, practicing the rituals of celebration, including performing folk music, singing and dancing.
Various ceremonies and rituals were performed for various gods with the arrival of spring or summer in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Iran and other Mediterranean countries from ancient times.
[1] To date, the arrival of spring or summer, figuratively meaning the rebirth of nature or the end of winter, has been celebrated with ceremonies or various rituals at every place in which mankind lives.
All the preparations related to the ceremonies are of particular concern to the young men or women, since Hıdırellez is regarded as the most proper occasion for the youth-willing to marry in the future-to find a suitable match.
Hıdrellez ceremonies are held in the countryside near the cities, towns or villages where generally streams, lakes or other water springs exist.
It is believed that on Hıdırellez Day all kinds or species of the living, plants and trees revive in a new cycle of life, therefore the meat of the lambs grazing on the land which Hızır walks through is assumed as the source of health and happiness.
Another ritual practice for having good health on Hıdırellez Day is to be awash or bath by water brought from some holy places.
[1] Furthermore, within the scope of Hıdırellez ceremonies in Turkey and the countries mentioned, some practices related to seeking for good fortune and luck can be seen.
On 5th of May, the girls or women seeking for good fortune, luck or a suitable match to marry put their rings, earrings etc.