Visibility through ritual: the caferi/shiite community in Turkey

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the mourning rituals of the Caferi community in Turkey which are held in the month of Muharram in general and on the day of Aşura in particular. Caferis are Twelver Shii people majority of Azeri origin who have become visible in the public space with their Muharram commemoration rituals especially in the post 1980s era. After an analysis of Caferi identity and of Muharram processions in the history of Turkey, this thesis concentrates on the texts and narratives about Muharram and Aşura and the public mourning rituals presented in the public sphere especially in the last two decades. Subjected to a critical comparative analysis, the basic argument is how Muharram commemorations represent the collective religious identity of community and their public piety.The analysis also shows how Muharram commemorations are reinterpreted and reformulated with the rearticulated “authentic” discourse on the Caferis’ beliefs and practices.