MESA Banner
The Origins and Formation of Qizilbash (Alevi) Sacred Texts
Abstract
The point has been made by many scholars that one of the most noteworthy features of the Alevi tradition is its sycretic nature. Although Alevism maintained the close interaction with neighboring religious-cultural climates, thus keeping a continuous state of evolution, during every epochs of its history, certain periods proved to be more significant in terms of crystallization of the doctrinal and practical aspects. The late fifteenth and the early sixteenth century is arguably among those significant periods of congealing. It is safe to argue that both the doctrinal structure and practical arrangements (especially ritualistic aspects of the Path) of the Qizilbash/Alevi way of Islam were (re)formulated and structured during this time interval. It was during the same period that the sacred texts of the Qizilbash (Alevi) Path emerged. These texts are known under the generic name “Buyruk”, literally “The Order”, and explain doctrinal pillars and ritualistic rules of the Path. One may observe footprints of some previous and contemporary traditions in the Buyruk. More interesting perhaps is that buyruk texts have no particular author. They are rather artifact of the collective memory. My paper discusses the formation process of these religious texts as a corollary of the formation of the Qizilbash Identity in the sixteenth century.
Discipline
History
Geographic Area
Turkey
Sub Area
Islamic Studies