22.07.2025 00:21
In Sivas, butchers are breaking and destroying the arm and shoulder bones from small livestock to prevent malicious individuals from using them for witchcraft, in accordance with a tradition that has continued since the Seljuk period to the present day.
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Butchers in Sivas continue to uphold a tradition that has been maintained since the Seljuk period.
SHOULDER BLADES ARE BROKEN TO PROTECT AGAINST SPELLS
The shoulder blades removed after the slaughter of small livestock are broken and destroyed to prevent malicious individuals from casting spells. Known as the bones most preferred by sorcerers, shoulder blades are believed to be special pieces used in mystical ceremonies in the past.
DESTROYED WITHOUT BEING USED FOR MALICIOUS PURPOSES
It is also known that breaking these bones is one of the measures taken to protect butchers from occupational diseases. Among the 240 different bones in small livestock, there are 2 shoulder blades, right and left, which are destroyed by butchers through this practice to prevent them from being used for malicious purposes.
'WE BREAK THEM SO THEY ARE NOT USED IN SPELLS'
Butcher Ali Güler stated that they break and destroy these bones to prevent them from being used in spells, saying, 'We know from ancient people that they used the shoulder bones, which we generally refer to as small livestock, to perform spells like priest's spell and black magic. We break the bones we remove and throw them away to make them ineffective so that they cannot be used for spells. We know that this spell is performed by those who are skilled in the craft. We also break and discard the arm bones and shoulder blades to avoid getting sick and to prevent occupational diseases.'
"WE HAVE BEEN CONTINUING THIS TRADITION FROM THE SELJUKS FOR YEARS"
Güler continued his remarks as follows: "There are 2 arm bones and 2 thigh bones from one animal. An animal has 240 bones. There are 2 shoulder blades, and we break both of them, right and left. We have been continuing this tradition inherited from the Seljuks for years to prevent these bones from being used for malicious purposes. We show all the effort and diligence we can."
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