Alevi Identity

Tord Olsson, Elisabeth Ozdalga, Catharina Raudvere

In the rising momentum for new and reformulated cultural identities, the Turkish Alevi have also emerged on the scene, demanding due recognition. In this process a number of dramatic events have served as important milestones: the clashes between Sunni and Alevi in Kahramanmaras in 1979 and Corum in 1980, the incendiarism in Sivas in 1992, and the riots in Istanbul (Gaziosmanpasa) in 1995. Less evocative, but in the long run more significant, has been the rising interest in Alevi folklore and religious practices. Questions have also arisen as to what this branch of Islamic heterodoxy represents in terms of old and new identities. In this book, these questions are addressed by some of the most prominent scholars in the field.

In the wake of demands by the Turkish Alevi for due recognition, there has been a rising interest in Alevi folklore and religious practices, and in what this branch of Islamic heterodoxy represents in terms of old and new identities.

Preface, Bektashi/K?z?lba?: Historical Bipartition and Its Consequences, On Bektashism in Bosnia, Anthropology and Ethnicity: The Place of Ethnography in the New Alevi Movement, Academic and Journalistic Publications on the Alevi and Bektashi of Turkey, The Function of Alevi-Bektashi Theology in Modern Turkey, Political Alevism versus Political Sunnism: Convergences and Divergences, Development and Reformulation of a Returnee Identity as Alevi, Alevi Revivalism in Turkey, State-Community Relations in the Restructuring of Alevism, Ottoman Modernisation and Sabetaism, A Critical Survey on Ahl-e Haqq Studies in Europe and Iran, Taq?ya or Civil Religion? Druze Religious Specialists in the Framework of the Lebanese Confessional State, The Druze Religious Will as a Political Instrument, Alevis in Turkey-Alawites in Syria: Similarities and Differences, The Gnosis of Mountaineers and Townspeople. The Religion of the Syrian Alawites or the Nusairis, Urban Visions and Religious Communities: Access and Visibility, Epilogue: The scripturalization of Ali-oriented religions., List of participants