Month constitute one of the most ancient and culturally rich stages of the Azerbaijani folk calendar, symbolizing the severity of winter, the cyclical transformation of nature, and the gradual transition toward spring. These periods represent not only meteorological phenomena but also expressions of the people’s mythological worldview, beliefs, and ritual traditions.
Great Chilla begins in late December and lasts for forty days, being regarded as the harshest period of winter. In folk beliefs, Great Chilla is depicted as a time when frost, snow, and cold intensify, and nature retreats into silence. During this period, people traditionally gathered around the hearth, recounting ancient tales and legends.
A Chilla ritual filming was carried out on the Ceyranchol plain, within the ancient territory of Keşikçidağ. This sacred time segment, bearing the harsh breath of winter, is perceived in collective memory as a period of trial for nature and a stage of endurance and resilience for humanity.
The rocky ridges of Keşikçidağ, its cave-temple complex, and historical burial mounds imparted a special harmony to the spirit of Great Chilla. Since ancient times, this area has served not only as a place of habitation and defense but also as a space for spiritual purification, communion with nature, and contemplation. The Chilla ritual, performed within this historical and cultural environment, thus acquired a profound symbolic meaning. The filming of the Great Chilla ritual was also significant in terms of preserving and transmitting the rich intangible cultural heritage traditions of the Keşikçidağ State Historical and Cultural Reserve to future generations.
Conducted against the backdrop of the vast horizons of Ceyranchol and the historical monuments of Keşikçidağ, the Chilla ritual represents a living example of folk calendar culture, bearing both scholarly-ethnographic and public-educational value. Such initiatives can be regarded as important steps toward the preservation, promotion, and international presentation of national heritage.
