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VI. Alevis, Haji Bektash, and Bektashism

Somewhat distinct from but quite similar to Anatolian Alevism is a religious order or sect (tarikat) called the Bektashis, named after Haji Bektash (Hunkar Haci Bektaş Veli), who lived in the 13th century. There have historically been two groups of Bektashis. One, called the Celebis, claimed that they were direct physical descendants of Haji Bektash (bel evladi). A larger group of Bektashis, called the Dedes or Dedebabas, claimed that Haji Bektash had no natural sons but only had spiritual disciples (yol evladi). Bektashis are found throughout Anatolia and the Balkans, particularly in AlbaniaIt has been commonly explained that a person only becomes an Alevi by being born into an Alevi family, but a person can become a Bektashi by joining the sect. In a very broad historical generalization, it has been said that Bektashis were traditionally urbanized and educated while Alevis lived in villages in the Anatolian countryside.To show that modern Alevi and Bektashi groups have much more in common than they have differences, Alevis will often talk about "Alevi-Bektashi culture" (kültür) "Alevi-Bektashi faith" (inanç), or "Alevi-Bektashi philosophy" (felsefe). Many describe the differences between the groups with these statements: "There is no difference in path, just in practices" (Yol farki yok, surek farki var) and "The way is one, the form a thousand and one" (Yol bir, siirek bin bir).

 

Alevis

Who are Alevis
What is Alevism
Alevi Population Size and Distribution
Alevi Customs and Holidays
Alevi Views of Ali
Alevis Haji Bektash and Bektashism
Alevis and Mysticism
Alevis and Folk Beliefs
Alevis, Prejudice and Persecution
Alevi-Bektashi Humor
Alevis and Current Social Issues
Alevi Identity Today
Alevis and Islam