The great Bektashi pilgrimage: Abaz Aliu and Mount Tomorri

August 20 marks the start of the pilgrimage to Mount Tomorri, a mountain considered "holy", as it is said that the saint of the Prophet Muhammad's family, Abaz Ali, rests there.

According to the legends, it is said that Abaz Ali, from Arabia, together with his younger brother, settled in Berat, becoming the protector of the nahija. The brother defended the city of Berat, while Abaz Aliu settled in Tomorr, to protect all the tribes and provinces of Tomorr. On the 25th of August, his soul comes from Olympus and returns again to free the people of Berat from all evil.

The trail of Abaz Ali is related to the legend of how he came to Tomorr. The perpetuation of his image in Skrapar is great, as his and his horse's footprints are on "Dërsa e Kajcë", on the border with Përmet; in "Taronia" of Çepan; in the "Rock of the Osum Canyon" of Dhoresi; His handprint near Bargullas; in "Dërsa e Novaj" and "Vendi i sëntë" in the north of Tomori (above Dardhë of Berat) and "Chuka e Tomori", at his cenotaph grave. These places are visited by believers throughout the year, especially on August 20-25. Abaz Ali is said to have been on his mythical flight to Mount Tomorri, where he went and stayed forever. That fighter who fell for freedom, came and found rest on the Albanian mountain.

The world's most important place of Bektashi pilgrimage, the Tomb of Abaz Ali, is located far from Teqeja e Kulmaku, two hours on foot or 40 minutes by car, at an altitude of 2417 meters above sea level, in Čuka e Tomori. From historical sources data is given as a place of faith from antiquity.

Rites include lighting candles at holy places, donating money near places of worship, sacrificing a sheep or lamb, and sharing food among devotees. /Telegraph/