Sema
Today marks the beginning of “Čilê Havînê”, the Forty Days of Summer fasting, one of the most spiritually significant periods in the Ezidi religious calendar. Starting annually on June 24, this observance is led by the Ezidi Supreme Spiritual Council, senior clerics, and the Khilmetkars — dedicated servants of the Lalish Temple, the holiest site for Ezidis worldwide.
The fast, traditionally undertaken during the hottest period of the year, is observed by “Čilêger” — devout Ezidis who commit to fasting for forty consecutive days. Participants refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset, embodying spiritual discipline and connection to divine natural forces.
The fast is primarily observed by Ezidi religious figures, including Baba Sheikh, members of the spiritual council, and Khilmetkars residing in Lalish. However, it is also open to any Ezidi individuals who wish to participate, regardless of their location.
The culmination of Čilê Havînê is celebrated each year on August 2, as per the Western calendar. The festival is deeply rooted in Ezidi religious traditions and sacred texts, and it symbolizes the triumph of light, spiritual endurance, and the rhythms of nature.
Historically, the origins of this summer fast trace back to ancient Mithraic traditions, a period when the forces of nature were revered as divine elements closely tied to the cosmic and seasonal cycles.
As the Ezidi community enters this sacred period, the valley of Lalish becomes a center of prayer, reflection, and quiet resilience — honoring both ancient beliefs and the enduring identity of a people rooted in their spiritual landscape.