After thinking a little bit about our multicultural approach, we decided to create a feature about our values, Alevism. There are many religions and sects in the region, Alevism is a sect that includes people of many nationalities, especially in the countries of Turkey and Iran, but it is still a sect that includes minorities who are still subject to discrimination. In this polarized geography, major political, religious, and cultural battles have been fought and people have been murdered because of their group affiliation. As we made this trip and witnessed the Cem ceremony, we were not part of this pack and rather attended the Cem ceremony for the first time as every detail could be very interesting to someone who doesn’t know. I thought it was a lookout to do.
We came to Yenibosna Cemevi for the worship which is held on every Thursday. The watchman, whom we had contacted by phone beforehand, met us at the door with the guard and took us to the grandfather (Dede) before the Cem. We had the opportunity to chat with the grandfather and ask his advice on a few matters. The extremely tolerant grandfather opened the door to the house and we started taking photos and talking to people. There were people of all ages, from elderly aunts and uncles to 6-7-year-old primary school children.
Hz. Ali holds a central and revered position in Alevism, representing spiritual and ethical ideals such as justice, knowledge, and love. Alevis view him as a spiritual guide, the gatekeeper of esoteric knowledge, and the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad. His teachings inspire religious and moral practices, and his character shapes the Alevi identity emphasizing equality, inclusivity, and respect. Hz. Ali’s significance lies in being a symbol of unity, compassion, and a source of inspiration for the Alevi community’s religious and social fabric.
Hacı Bektaş Veli is a revered spiritual figure in Alevism, representing wisdom, love, and equality. His teachings and philosophy greatly influence Alevi’s beliefs and practices, emphasizing inner spirituality and the unity of all beings. Hacı Bektaş Veli’s legacy shapes the Alevi community’s identity and values.
In Alevism, Dede refers to a spiritual leader or guide who holds a respected position within the Alevi community. The term Dede is derived from the Turkish word for grandfather or elder. Dedes are considered to be the custodians of Alevi’s spiritual knowledge and traditions, and they play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Alevi teachings to the community. Dedes are seen as intermediaries between human beings and the divine, and they are believed to have a deep understanding of Alevi’s religious practices, rituals, and beliefs. They provide guidance, counseling, and support to Alevis in matters of spirituality, ethics, and community affairs. Dedes often lead Alevi gatherings, known as cem ceremonies, where participants engage in communal worship, prayer, chanting, and music. They recite and interpret religious texts, such as the poetry of influential Alevi figures like Hacı Bektaş Veli or Pir Sultan Abdal, and they offer spiritual guidance to the attendees.
Meclis gatherings in the Alevi-Bektashi faith serve to preserve and share core values, provide spiritual unity, and transmit religious teachings. Held in cemevis or homes, these gatherings involve prayers, semah dances, and recitations, emphasizing faith, tolerance, love, justice, and equality. Meclis acts as a vital platform for collective prayer, semah performances, and sharing thoughts and emotions, fostering spiritual and social unity while promoting Alevi philosophy and values.
In Alevi cem gatherings, the meclis serves as an important platform for people to come together, pray collectively, perform semah, and share their thoughts and emotions. These community activities foster both spiritual and social unity, while also serving the purpose of preserving and promoting the philosophy and values of the Alevi faith.
The Zakir, also known as the “Zikirci” or “Ashik,” is a participant in Alevi ceremonies who leads the congregation in spiritual music, hymns, and recitations. The role of the Zakir is to create a spiritual atmosphere, evoke devotion, and guide the participants in their religious experience.
The Zakir’s performance typically involves playing a musical instrument such as the bağlama while singing or reciting religious poetry and verses. The Zakir’s melodies and lyrics often express themes of love, longing, and spiritual connection with God.
In Alevi gatherings, “deyiş” holds meaning and significance. Deyiş is a form of poetic expression in Alevi culture, typically performed through singing or recitation. It serves as a means of conveying spiritual messages, reflecting on philosophical concepts, and expressing devotion to spiritual ideals.
The importance of deyiş lies in its ability to encapsulate Alevi beliefs, values, and narratives in a poetic and musical form. Deyiş is often used to transmit religious teachings, historical accounts, and moral lessons. It carries deep symbolism and metaphorical expressions, allowing Alevi individuals to contemplate spiritual concepts and engage in introspection.
Deyiş plays a vital role in Alevi rituals and gatherings by creating an atmosphere of spiritual connection and emotional resonance. It fosters a sense of unity among participants and strengthens the Alevi identity. Through deyiş, Alevi communities can pass down their cultural heritage, preserve their unique worldview, and reinforce their commitment to principles such as love, equality, and social justice.
The motif of the candle in Alevi cem holds significant symbolism and importance. The candle represents light, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening within the Alevi faith. It symbolizes the divine presence and serves as a metaphor for the inner spark of knowledge and wisdom. The candle’s flame represents the illumination of the soul and the pursuit of truth. In the context of cem, the candle is central to the ritual space, symbolizing unity and the gathering of believers. It creates a sacred atmosphere, guiding individuals toward spiritual unity and connecting them with the divine essence. The candle’s presence during cem reinforces the values of enlightenment, love, and unity, and serves as a visual representation of the Alevi belief system.
The sweeper in Alevi tradition cleans the place during cem and other rituals. This creates a clean and organized environment. The sweeper is important in the Alevi faith because cleanliness symbolizes physical and spiritual purification. Cleanliness is associated with inner purification. Alevism emphasizes cleanliness, equality and brotherhood. The sweeper strengthens unity and solidarity in cem worship. The broomstick represents the spirit of humility and service. In Alevism, service is considered a virtue and everyone has the responsibility to help others. The sweeper reflects the values of service and cleanliness in the Alevi tradition by ensuring that other.
In Alevism, “Semah” refers to a sacred ritual dance performed as part of religious ceremonies and gatherings. It is an integral part of Alevi religious practices and is often accompanied by spiritual music and poetry.
The Semah dance is characterized by its repetitive and trance-like motions. It is a form of ecstatic worship aimed at achieving a state of spiritual awakening and union with God. During the performance, the dancers often enter a heightened state of consciousness, displaying deep devotion and surrender to the divine presence. The lyrics of the songs sung during Semah often express spiritual and mystical themes, celebrating love, unity, and the teachings of Alevi philosophy.
Semah is not only a religious practice but also serves as a means of cultural expression, strengthening communal bonds, and transmitting Alevi traditions and values from one generation to another. It is performed during various occasions, including religious holidays, commemorative events, and community gatherings.
In Alevi Cem, “Pervane” refers to the person who performs the spinning movement during the semah. The propeller spins rhythmically as part of the semah and carries a symbolic meaning to the participants of the Cem. In Alevi belief, the rotation of the propeller semah signifies a spiritual journey. The propeller symbolizes getting closer to God and is part of the Alevi-Bektashi semah. The propeller spins in harmony with the semah performers and expresses its commitment to Alevi-Bektashi beliefs. During the semah, it harmonizes with the rhythms of music and chanting. In Alevi-Bektashi belief, the rotational movement of the semah symbolizes the spiritual journey. The propeller experiences spiritual intensity and enthusiasm and shares it with other Cem participants. In Alevi Cem, semah is an expression of individual and social spiritual quest. It aims to get closer to God through the movement of rotation. During the semah period, the propellers perform rotational movements to symbolically contribute to the spiritual unity of the community.
In the Alevi worship of cem, the ibrikci distributes water. The symbol of the pitcher represents water. The ibriktar is the person who distributes water during the cem. Water is cleansing and purifying. In Alevism, water is a symbol of purification. Drinking water during the cem is believed to cleanse one’s sins and provide spiritual purification. The ibrik has symbolic and sharing value in Alevism. The ibriktar shares the water and acts together. In Alevism, cem is a ritual organized to reinforce unity and solidarity within the community, and the ibriktar is a symbolic part of it.
In Alevi gatherings, “mersiye” holds meaning and importance. Mersiye is a form of religious poetry or hymn sung to honor and commemorate religious figures, particularly Imam Hussein and other martyrs of Karbala. It serves as a means of expressing grief, remembrance, and devotion.
Mersiye serves to create an emotional connection with the events of Karbala and the sacrifices made by the martyrs. It allows Alevi individuals to reflect on the values of justice, compassion, and standing against oppression. Through mersiye, Alevi communities come together to collectively mourn and remember their religious heritage.
The significance of mersiye lies in its role as a cultural and spiritual expression. It helps reinforce Alevi identity, preserve historical narratives, and maintain the community’s shared values and traditions. Mersiye is a powerful tool for emotional catharsis and serves as a means of spiritual connection, commemoration, and solidarity among Alevi individuals.
Alevi prayer, known as “dua,” holds significant importance in Alevi gatherings. It serves as a means of connecting with the divine, fostering community unity, and promoting personal growth. Dua involves meditation, remembrance of God, gratitude, seeking forgiveness, and reflection on moral values. It reinforces communal bonds and facilitates spiritual communication and introspection.
In Alevi Cem ceremonies, there is a practice called “lokma.” Lokma refers to shared food within the Alevi-Bektashi tradition. The distribution of lokma during Cem holds spiritual significance and symbolizes unity and solidarity within the community. It emphasizes the values of love, sharing, and equality in Alevi-Bektashi belief, highlighting the importance of equal distribution where everyone is valued and accepted without discrimination. The distribution of lokma strengthens the sense of love and solidarity within the community, as each person shows respect, gives, and receives the lokma with love. Additionally, prayers are recited during the distribution, seeking blessings and mercy from Allah, aiming for unity within the community and wishing for health and abundance for all. The distribution of lokma is also considered a social activity within Alevi-Bektashi belief, fostering stronger relationships, increased solidarity, and the joy of sharing together. In conclusion, the distribution of lokma in Alevi Cem represents unity, love, sharing, and solidarity within the community. It carries spiritual meaning and promotes togetherness, love, sharing, and equality values. The distribution of lokma contributes to strengthening relationships within the community as an integral part of Cem worship.
Selin Gözde Bozkurt and Efe Karaca