Legends passed on by word of mouth
Jinns and Fairies
from Uçhisar, Cappadocia

Jinns and Fairies in Uçhisar
(Cinler ve Periler)

There are many stories about jinns and fairies in Uçhisar. It is said, they live in quiet and dark places, all over the village. But most live in the district of “Aşağı Mahalle”.

Even though they are normally invisible, they can, if they want to, make themselves appear to people. The cin changes into all kinds of animals, mostly goats, but also sometimes into handsome young men. It will suddenly appear, as man or animal, jumping out of a cave or from behind you, shouting out loud to scare you to death.

Periler instead favour another method. This visible creature is always a beautiful woman, tall, with long and shiny hair. Her charming voice lures innocent men to follow. As if under hypnosis, everybody has to do what the Peri wants them to. So she could lead one into a heavenly place of fantasy like paradise. But one mustn’t be too sure! You might find yourself in a burning hell.

So be wary!

Nevertheless, even when the jinns and fairies are invisible, they can be noticed. During hot summer days, they are on the dusty roads or squares of the village. You do not hear them yet, but suddenly you can see them.

Like a small whirlwind, a tiny vortex, whirling around and around appears in your path.  One moment it is just ahead of you, the next moment right behind your back. If you are lucky, it will suddenly disappear.

This phenomenon is called the Cin Düğün, or wedding of Jinns. Just as we dance at a wedding, hundreds of invisible jinns celebrate and dance on the street.  To make the jinns leave you have to shout aloud: “Jinn, we have seen your bride!” Then they will vanish and hide again in their dark dungeons.

But watch out - They may be waiting for you too!

The wedding of jinnsCin düğünü

This interesting phenomenon can be put down to a rapid increase in temperature of the dry ground during summer. Hot air rises, causing vortexes or spouts (dust devils) to appear and disappear very suddenly.