Mesir Macunu festival

Name: Mesir Macunu festival
Start: 2025-04-21
End: 2025-04-26
Location: Manisa

A Sweet Celebration of Health and Hope

Every spring, the ancient city of Manisa in Turkey hosts the Mesir Macunu Festival. This festival takes place from March 21st to 24th each year, attracting tens of thousands of people. The sight of sweet-scented paste raining down from the minarets of the Sultan Mosque is spectacular, and visitors eagerly await this moment. Mesir Macunu is a special paste made from 41 types of herbs and spices, symbolizing wishes for health and good fortune. This centuries-old tradition is rooted in Ottoman history and is a joyous event celebrating health, renewal, and community spirit.

Main Attractions

The Mesir Toss

The main event of the festival is the Mesir Macunu toss. Mesir Macunu is a traditional sweet medicinal paste made from 41 herbs and spices, believed to bring health and good luck. As the afternoon sun bathes the Sultan Mosque in golden light, around 30,000 participants gather in the square. Suddenly, colorfully wrapped Mesir Macunu rains down from the mosque's minarets and domes. Cheers erupt as people eagerly stretch out their hands to catch the sweets falling from the sky. The sweet and spicy aroma of Mesir Macunu fills the air, mingling with the scent of freshly cooked food from stalls and the earthy smell of spring. At this moment, the entire city of Manisa is enveloped in the festival's excitement.

The Mesir Paste Preparation Ceremony

Before the Mesir toss, visitors can witness the traditional preparation of Mesir Macunu. In large cauldrons, skilled artisans mix 41 types of herbs and spices, their aromas filling the air. The mixture is stirred with long wooden spoons while prayers are recited, offering a visual experience that provides a glimpse into the sacred origins of the paste and the care taken in its creation.

The Mesir Parade

The festival begins with a colorful parade. Participants don vibrant Ottoman-era costumes, and a 45-piece orchestra plays traditional music. The melodies echo off the old stone buildings. Spectators can see acrobats, stilt walkers, and performers reenacting scenes related to Mesir Macunu.

Culinary Delights

The festival also offers culinary experiences. Local stalls serve regional specialties like Manisa kebab and aromatic grilled meats. A variety of dishes are available, including freshly baked bread and sweet lokma (fried dough). Many visitors end their evening by drinking warm salep, a beverage made from orchid tubers.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Mesir Macunu Festival originated in the 16th century during the Ottoman Empire. According to legend, it began to commemorate the recovery of Hafsa Sultan, mother of Suleiman the Magnificent, from a serious illness. The special paste "Mesir Macunu," made from 41 herbs and spices that supposedly cured her, was distributed to the public on the Sultan's orders, marking the beginning of this tradition.

Held annually from March 21st to 24th, this festival is a deeply cherished cultural event for the people of Manisa. The traditional preparation of the paste and its distribution from the Sultan Mosque's minaret symbolize wishes for health and good fortune. This event is not merely a historical reenactment but plays a crucial role in strengthening community bonds and passing down traditions across generations.

The central ritual of tossing the paste, where people compete to catch it, creates a sense of unity in the community and provides an opportunity to warmly welcome visitors from all over Turkey. Furthermore, the performance of traditional Ottoman music by a 45-piece orchestra adds to the cultural depth of the festival.

In 2012, UNESCO recognized the Mesir Macunu Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, acknowledging its cultural significance internationally. This festival embodies Turkey's rich history and traditions and has become an essential part of the cultural identity for contemporary people.

Participant's Voice

I've been coming to this festival since I was a child, but this year was special. I brought my daughter for the first time. The excitement in the square was extraordinary, and I was so happy when we caught the sweets together as they fell. An elderly lady next to us said, "Your wish will come true." This moment is a special memory for our family.

Fun Facts

About 3 tons of Mesir Macunu are prepared and distributed during the festival.
In 2013, the festival set a Guinness World Record for "The Largest Number of People Catching Candy at Once."