Lalish and the feast of Cejna Cemayê

Lalish, a sanctuary valley

Lalish lies in Sheikhan district, in Nineveh province, north-east of Mosul. The valley holds the tomb of Şêx Adî ibn Musafir, a central figure of the Yazidi religion. In the 12th century, the movement linked to Şêx Adî gave the community a lasting structure around this place.

The sanctuary is recognisable by its conical domes. It also has two springs, Kaniya Spî, the White Spring, and Zimzim. Every Yazidi is called to make a pilgrimage there.

The Feast of the Assembly

Cejna Cemayê, the Feast of the Assembly, is the most important religious feast of the Yazidi community and its great annual pilgrimage to Lalish. It is also known as Cejna Cemaiyê or Cemaya Şîxadî; the Iraqi press calls it “Jamaya”. The feast lasts seven days and honours Şêx Adî.

The Mîr, the community’s leader, and the Baba Şêx attend, together with thousands of pilgrims from Iraq and abroad. In 2025, the sanctuary’s officials expected 25,000 to 30,000 visitors a day, according to the broadcaster Rudaw. This article presents the feast; it does not describe its rites, which are a matter for the religious authorities.

From 6 to 13 October

According to Yazidi tradition, Cejna Cemayê is celebrated every year from 6 to 13 October; a reference work (J. S. Guest, 2012) gives the same dates. The Yazidi religious calendar follows the old Julian calendar, thirteen days behind ours: by that calendar, the feast falls in late September and early October.

In 2026, the feast therefore takes place from 6 to 13 October.

For families in France

Most Yazidi families in France come from Armenia, Georgia and Russia. In Armenia, the Quba Mêrê Dîwanê temple in Aknalich, inaugurated in 2019, is one of the largest Yazidi temples in the world.