Horsemen parade kicks off 515th Ajvaz Dedo Festival in Bosnia

DONJI VAKUF, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - JUNE 28: Hundreds of horsemen from across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and beyond paraded through Donji Vakuf on Saturday, June 28, heading to Prusac for the central program of the "515th Days of Ajvatovica," (Ajvaz Dedo festival) one of Europe’s largest Islamic cultural-religious events.Around 260 horsemen and flag bearers (bajraktars) from towns including Karaula, Jajce, Zenica, Glamoč, Gradačac, Brčko, Srebrenica, and Kozarac took part in the procession, showcasing a tradition preserved for over five centuries.An Ottoman Janissary band, recognized as the world’s oldest living musical ensemble, performed during the parade.The festival honors the legacy of Ajvaz Dedo, a 15th-century Muslim cleric who, according to legend, miraculously split a massive rock to bring water to a drought-stricken community. The story holds deep spiritual significance for Bosnian Muslims, symbolizing divine intervention and faith.Ajvaz Dedo, believed to have arrived in Bosnia with Ottoman forces in 1463, reportedly prayed for 40 days and nights during a severe drought. Tradition holds that he discovered a blocked mountain spring near Prusac, obstructed by a 100-meter-long rock. After persistent prayer, he dreamed of two white rams splitting the stone—a vision that came true when he awoke, allowing water to flow.The event is seen as a divine blessing, and since then, pilgrims have trekked eight kilometers to the site where the rock split.(Footage by Elman Omic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)