ERZURUM’DA YAŞAYAN ALEVÎLERİN İBADET HAYATIYLA İLGİLİ TELAKKİLERİ VE UYGULAMALARI

Abstract

This research aims to reveal the worship practices of individuals living in the Erzurum region and belonging to the Alevi tradition. To achieve this goal, our study was designed based on the ethnographic method, which is one of the qualitative research designs that define and interpret the values, behaviors, beliefs, and worship practices within a community’s shared culture. The participant group of our research consists of Alevis living in various districts and villages in the province of Erzurum. Within this scope, work was conducted with Alevi dedes (spiritual leaders) and followers in 9 districts (Aşkale, Çat, Hınıs, Horasan, Köprüköy, Olur, Pasinler, Şenkaya, Tekman) and 20 villages identified. Semi-structured interview forms were applied to the participants, and the data obtained during this process were recorded. The research findings were evaluated using the content analysis method with observations, field notes, and data obtained through the applied interview forms. As a result of the findings and evaluations related to the research, it was observed that worship practices, which constitute the practical aspect of religion among Alevis, hold significant importance. However, some differences and indifference were observed in the performance of worship practices such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage. Factors such as the hardships of the nomadic life experienced by Alevi communities during the period they encountered Islam, problems with the central government, and the influence of various sects and beliefs have led to the non-performance of some worship practices or a distant attitude towards worship. Additionally, it was observed that some Alevi communities interpret these worship practices differently and perform them in their own unique ways.

Keywords

• history of islamic sects
• islam
• alevis
• the alevis in erzurum
• the practices of prayers