Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Velî Araştırma Dergisi (Sep 2019)
ALEVİ-BEKTAŞİ ÖĞRETİSİNDE HAKK’A YÜRÜME ERKÂNINDA MÜZİK
Abstract
This work endeavors to reveal the presence of music and literature in the ritual of the last voyage of ‘Living soul/can’ that is also known as ‘The Convention ruling the way people walk to God/Truth’ in Alevi-Bektashi teachings. It highlights the historical process of Alevi-Bektashi society concerning this issue. Data is gathered using the methods of literature reviews, observation, participation and interviews. It examines the traditional context of this process, points out the place and importance of music in it, and elaborates on the ‘cem (gathering) ritual of dardan indirme (releasing burden)’ that is arranged for the one who ‘walked to God’.In this context, and in the light of data in the historical process, various examples are presented from these Conventions and from death hymns [nefes] performed by Alevi-Bektashi minstrels [aşıks] and poets, and their perception of death is presented. It stresses once again how Alevi-Bektashi minstrels and poets became illuminating sources in their society. It draws attention to various studies conducted on the issue of Urbanization by its respective institutions. The findings are chronologically organized, the cross-cultural context of cultural environment, perception of death and the quest for immortality is dwelled upon, and their reflections on the social life are pointed out with domestic and international examples. In conclusion, this work includes the observations that this social structure affiliated with Anatolian Alevi-Bektashi teachings has been in the effort to protect, maintain, sustain its cultural identity, traditions, customs and conventions and transfer them to next generations in every social space it has inhabited , and that it carries on these efforts by instututionalization through the Urbanization process. It’s ascertained that their death rituals reveal the way of life and belief systems of Anatolian Alevi- Bektashi teachings.
