If a cat jumps over a dead body before it is taken out of the house, it is believed that the body will become a fearsome ghost. The shroud may not be cut with knife or scissors. Those who wear dead peoples’ clothes will live a long time. Graveyards are never enlarged, since it is believed that this will increase the number of dead people. The house is not cleaned, clothes are not washed and water is not taken from outside until the dead person has been buried. The howling of a dog is considered a sign of approaching death. It is forbidden to take stones or soil from graveyards. One may not sit cross-legged when the call to prayer is recited. It is believed that, if the gravedigger is not given a tip the deas will not rest easy. The shoes of people who come to offer their condolences are not turned around. The lights are not turned off for three days in a house in which a dead body has been washed. It is considered bad luck to break a mirror. In order to make sweet yogurt, bushes from a grave are picked and thrown in the fire over which the milk is heated. If someone dies at night, a knife is placed on the body until morning. It is forbidden to sleep in a graveyard. Trees in graveyards may not be cut down, it is believed that genies live among such trees. Angels will fly away from places that house paintings. Painting is considered a sin, it is believed that on doomsday the painter will have to give his spirit to the things he painted. If that happens, it is believed that three people from that house will die. Bringing a dead body inside a house is considered unlucky. It is not good to put one’s socks near the head end of the bed, it is believed that the owner of those socks will soon pass away. It is believed that a guest will come if a dead person is seen in a dream. Seeing dead people in dreams is regarded as an omen for the living. If a show turns upside down when being taken off, it is believed that the owner of the shoe will die in the near future. The spirit of the dead person visits his house seven days following death. People gather in the dead person’s house and pray together for the flesh and the bones to separate easily. The flesh and the bones separate 40-52 days after death. He knocks his head on the wood when trying to get up and says, “My God, I am dead”. When a bunch of flowers is placed on a grave, the spirit of that person returns. If a child constantly cries, it is believed that someone will die in that house.
If an animal puts out its tongue when being sacrificed, it is believed that the owner of the animal will die within the year. The fingers of anyone who does so will grow weak and thin. Anyone who takes anything from a holy tomb will be paralyzed. Anyone who cuts down trees near visiting places will be paralyzed.
Popular Beliefs Related to Spirits, Graveyards, Holy Tombs and Visits: These beliefs have even revealed differences between individuals, yet they all have certain aspects in common.
In the emergence of such beliefs, peoples’ psychological make-up, the words of the, often illiterate, elderly as well as those of religious officials have all played a role. Although they often appear illogical or unreasonable, they are still an integral part of peoples’ hearts, brains and minds. Many of them have no scientific basis and are not linked to any particular religious faith. These are generally referred to as “superstitions.” These beliefs have existed since the earliest days of mankind. Certain beliefs among the members of a society sometimes arise out of fear, sometimes from helplessness and sometimes by chance.