IV. Alevi Customs and Holidays

Here are some ofthe most significant Alevi practices and ceremonies that strike the interest of visitors. There are some variations among Alevi-Bektashi groups regarding the form. meaning, and dates ofthese customs and celebrations.

Assembly Meetings (Cem or Ayini Cem)

The essential Alevi corporate worship Service is called a congregational or assembly meeting (cem or aymi cem). Alevis generally believe that the cem has its roots in an original worship and teaching meeting of forty Spiritual individuals (Kirklur Meclisi) led by Ali.

In Anatolia, assemblies have been traditionally held on Thursday evenings and called cuma akyamlan, literally, "Friday nights." However, for convenience, in some places today they are held during the day on Sundays, which is the official weekly holiday in Turkey.

A building or room set apart for such meetings is called an assembly house (cem evi), but private homes are also a suitable location for an assembly meeting. Cem evi.f do not have minarets (minare), and cem meetings are not announced by a call to prayer (ezan).

An assembly meeting is led by a "grandfather" (dede), a man recognized to have Spiritual and moral authority in the community and who Claims a direct blood line connection to the family of Muhammed through one of the twelve imams (seyyitlik). In Anatolia, dedes generally serve in geographical regions. That is, one dede takes

responsibility for one, two, three, or more villages, and travels between them. All ofthe residents in a village are responsible to one dede.

A traditional Alevi cem, called a görgü cem, is only open to those who have made a commitment to each other and to follow their dede. No unreconciled people can participate in an assembly. Betöre the dede holds the religious Services he acts äs ajudge in a kind ofpeople's court (halk mahkemesi), reconciling differences between congregational members. Those who do not confess their personal sins or who are not reconciled with others are disciplined by the dede, and are considered put out of fellowship (diifkünlük). They are not entitled to take part in the Service or share in the community meal until they repent.

Open, public cems are held in some cities today. Their format is somewhat different than a traditional village cem. The following is a briet description ofthe kind of assembly a visitor may be invited to attend or will see demonstrated on television.

The dede sits on a sheepskin (posi) on the floor at one end or side of the room. The congregation, which consists of both men and women, sits in a circle on the tloor tacing each other. There is no physical Separation otmen and women. The women are not required to wear any certain type ot clothing or to cover their heads, although many do. Children are also allowed in the meeting.

Participants in the assembly take off their shoes betöre entering the room. A visitor will generally not see Alevis perfoirn ceremonial washings (abdest) immediatelybefore a public service; worshipers are instructed to come to the assembly after they clean themselves all over by bathing or showering. Most Alevis say coming to worship clean on the inside (batmi or if temizlik) is at least as important as being clean on the outside (zahiri or dış temizlik}. Many say inner cleanliness is even more important The service mainly consists of the dede saying prayers, giving short religious messages, singing solo ballads, and leading the congregation in singing. Another key element is a circling ritual dance (semah) performed by selected men and women in a group that can vary in size. The dede plays a seven stringed lute (saz, baglama) while singing and while the dance is being performed. Sometimes an accompanist (zakir) will play a lute with, or instead of, the dede. During certain parts of the service, the congregation assumes a worship position, kneeling and sitting on their ankles, occasionally bowing their heads to the floor in unison (halka namaz).The service is held entirely in Turkish, including all the prayers and singing. However, in some cents portions of the Kuran may be read in Arabic. The subjects of the ballads, prayers and speeches include encouraging the congregation to love God, to love other people, and to apply the teachings of Muhammed, AM, the twelve imams, and Haji Bektash. An emotional climax of the service is one or more ballads in memory of the murders of Ali and his sons. The murder of Ali's son, Hiiseyin, at the battle of Kerbela is especially remembered To conclude the worship service, the congregation shares a meal (lokma) together, which usually includes aram that has been ceremonially sacrificed (kurban).There are other details involved in the assembly meeting, comprising twelve acts of service (oniki hizmet), but these are enough to give the reader a flavor of the ceremony.Though Alevis are mystical in many of their beliefs, they do have regular form or design in their ceremonies and practices (erkan). Traditionalist Alevis believe that certain exact rituals must be followed and specific prayers (gulbank) said during cems and for all other religious rites and ceremonies. Because most Alevi forms and traditions have been passed down the generations orally rather than in writing, these forms may vary from region to region. However, non-traditionalist Alevis will say that it is not necessary to follow any form strictly.SemahCharacterized by turning and swirling, this dance of worship has many varieties. Performed by men and women to the accompaniment of the lute, the semah is an inseparable part of any cem. It symbolizes the putting off of one's self and uniting with God.Spiritual Brotherhood (Müsahiplik)A keystone of Alevi faith and society, müsahiplik is a covenant relationship between two married couples. In a ceremony in the presence of a dede, the two couples make a life-long commitment to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each other and their children. The ties between couples who have made this commitment is at least as strong as it is for blood relatives. So much so, that müsahiplik is often called spiritual brotherhood (manevi kardeşlik).Fast of Muharrem (Muharrem or Matem Orucu)This major Alevi fast is generally held the first twelve days of the month of Muharrem, or 20 days after the Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı). In addition to abstaining from food, many Alevis who fast from sunup to sundown during these twelve days will also abstain from drinking water both day and night. They will intake liquids other than water during the evening. During this fast, Alevis will also avoid any sort of comfort or enjoyment. A main purpose of this fast is to mourn the murder of Ali's son, Hüseyin, during the battle of Kerbela.Ashure (Aşure Günü)At the conclusion of the fast of Muharrem, a special food dish called ashure (aşure) is prepared from a variety (often 12 in number) of grains, fruits and nuts. Many events are associated with this celebration, including the salvation of Hüseyin's son, Zeynel Abidin, from the massacre at Kerbela, thus allowing the bloodline of the family of the prophet to continue.Fast of Hizir (Hızır Orucu)Many Alevis fast for three days in mid-February to honor Hızır, a supernatural being who they believe has been sent by God throughout history to save those who are in distress.Hidrellez (Hızır-llyas or Hıdrellez)According to legend, Hizir (Hızır) and the prophet Elijah (İlyas) drank of the water of life. Hizir comes to the rescue of those in distress on land, and Elijah helps those at sea. It is believed by many that Hizir and Elijah meet at a rose tree in the evening of every 6th of May.Sacrifice (Kurban) and Meals (lokma)As mentioned above, sacrificing sheep to be shared among the congregation is a part of the cam ceremony. Alevis also sacrifice sheep and share meals to remember deceased loved ones. In a tradition called the Abdal Musa Sacrifice (Abdal Musa Kurbanı), Alevi villagers gather once a year in the winter months to sacrifice sheep, share a meal together, reconcile with one another, and to ask for blessing. Alevis living in cities often gather at one of the worship centers to hold these sacrifices Centers such as the Sahkulu Sultan Dergahi and Karacaahmet Sultan Dergahi in Istanbul hold sacrifices on a daily basis, not just at the Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı). They open their doors and welcome without charge anyone who wishes to partake of a meal (lokma) of lamb, rice pilav and ayran (a drink made from yogurt and water).Newroz (Nevruz)The day of 21 March is known by most Alevis as aday of newness, reconciliation, and the start of spring. Many Alevis also believe that 21 March is the birthday of Ali. Some also believe that it is the wedding anniversary of Ali and Fatima, the day Joseph was pulled out of the well, and the day God created the earth. Nevruz is celebrated with cems and special programs.Alevi Organizations, Worship Houses and Community CentersAlmost every month, new Alevi organizations, foundations, and associations are opened all over the country. Most center around the preservation and continuation of Alevi-Bektashi culture. Some are formed to promote political issues of specific concern to Alevis.Cem evis are being built in many neighborhoods in the largest cities of Turkey and in quite a few provincial capitals. These are in addition to the historic lodges (dergah) which have recently been restored. These cem evis and dergahs are built to be multi-purpose community centers, not just places of worship.Here are some of the activities and services provided by today's Alevi organizations and centers:1. weekly worship services (cem)2. lute (saz) and semah training courses3. sacrifice making and preparation (kurban and lokma)4. supplemental public school lessons5. foreign language lessons6. handicraft and job skills training for women7. medical and dental clinics8. bridal gown borrowing services9. Alevi-Bektashi history and culture courses and seminars10. scholarship programs for university students11. book and recorded music sales12. research libraries13. book and periodical publishing14. radio/TV program production and broadcasting15. funeral and burial preparation services