The transformation of religious leadership in Alevi communities: A critical analysis of the Dede narratives

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the narratives of Alevi dedes, religious leaders of the Alevi communities, who migrated from different parts of Anatolia to Istanbul. Through narratives of dedes on memory and identity of Alevi communities, this study aims to examine the transformation of religious leadership in the urban context. Mainly because of economic reasons, many people from Anatolia have migrated from their villages to urban areas since the 1950s. Alevis, who had mostly settled in rural areas, were also affected from this migration wave. As religious leaders of Alevism, dedes have had a central role in the religious structure of the Alevi society. However, migration and modernization initiated some changes on the position of the dede institution and the urban practices of Alevism starting with the 1950s. Accordingly, this study also tries to scrutinize the effects of the migration on Alevi communities and religious leadership, within the critical and complex political environment of Turkey during these years. The collected narratives from dedes who experienced this process, were used to reveal these effects from their own subjectivity, identity and memory.