Traditional Alevism
In Alevism, prayers, the cem rituals and fasting are carried out according to a certain belief calendar throughout the year.
12-14 February 2019
Hızır Fast
Hızır fast is one of the three fasts considered right in Alevism. It is observed in February; It may vary what week of February it is held and whether it is held for three or seven days depending on the region. (Yıldırım, 2018:283) The fast is observed and on Thursday night at the end of the fast Alevis sacrifice sheep and perform the Cem ritual. After the Cem ritual, “Hızır lokma” (a meal) is shared with public. The most important difference of the Hızır Cem (or Hıdırellez Cem) is the prayers said in the ceremony. (Yıldırım,2018;283)
27-29 August 2019
Masum-u Pak Fast
The three- day fast that is observed before Muharram fast is called “Masum-u Pak”. This fast is for Müslim bin Akil and his sons that were martyred in Küfe.
30 August 2019
Fatma Ana Fast
Fatma Ana fast is a one-day mourning fast held after Masum-u Pak fast,and before Muharram fast.
31 August 2019
Muharram Fast
Alevis and Bektashis observe a fast for the first twelve days of the month of Muharram. On these days, Alevis abstain from drinking water as Imam Huseyin and his friends were deprived of water. They do not use knife or eat meat. They do not shave because these are mourning days. In the month of Muharram, the Cem rituals are not performed or baglama is not played by Alevis.
At the end of Mourning of Muharram, on the thirteenth day of Muharram, sheep are sacrificed (tığlanır), Ashura is cooked and distributed. Sacrifices are held in gratitude for the salvation of Imam Zeynel Abidin from the massacre at Kerbela.
12 September 2019
Day of Ashura
Muharram mourning ends with the Ashura tradition. After fasting comes the Day of Ashura. Ashura prepared from variety (often twelve) of fruits, nuts and grains is cooked and shared with public.
(The Cem rituals usually start in October- November. The first one is Abdal Musa Cem/Birlik Cem. It is followed by other Cem rituals.)
The Abdal Musa /Birlik Cem Ritual
The Abdal Musa Cem / Birlik Cem is held once a year at the beginning of the winter, in October-November. Thus, the annual Cem rituals start with this Cem. The notables of the village come together in order to determine when to hold this ritual.(The Abdal Musa Cem, which used to be held at night that connects Thursday to Friday, is now held on a day that is suitable for everyone.) After that, some people are assigned to make preparations before the Cem. Some of these preparations are to inform the people about the time of the Cem, raise money, make preparations for sacrifice and lokma. Since participating in this worship is of great importance to an Alevi, everyone contributes materially and spiritually.
The Görgü Cem isn’t held before Birlik sacrifice isn’t made. First, Birlik sacrifice is made, and then the Birlik Cem is held. People who are offended make up with each other (Yıldırım,2018;281). The Abdal Musa/Birlik Cem ritual is essentially a preparation for the Görgü Cem ritual.
The Görgü Cem Ritual
It is held every year, towards the winter, after the Abdal Musa / Birlik Cem. All the members of the society come together and account of that year before the public. The Görgü Cem is an act of religious and social renewal, repairing faults and starting with a clean slate. Failure to pass the Görgü Cem and not attending the Cem may be considered a reason for Düşkünlük. In this Cem, each person must be pleased with the other (Yıldırım, 2018;263).
Düşkünlük
The person who fails the questioning in the Görgü Cem ritual is called Düşkün(shunned). All the crimes that cause someone to be declared Düşkün are those that affect society. These crimes are committing adultery, theft, murder, injury, divorce without reason.
The person is declared Düşkün for three years, five years or more depending on the crime. The family and companions of the person who is Düşkün are called Düşkün,too and they are excluded from the society. People don’t talk to Düşkün, deal with them, eat their Lokma, share Lokma with them or attend their funeral. It doesn’t matter the person that is declared Düşkün is male or female.
After confessing their guilt and serving the sentence, the state of being Düşkün comes to an end with the permission of the master and the villagers. Düşkün re-engages in the community. (Yıldırım,2018;273). Removal process of Düşkünlük differs depending on the region and crime.
The Musahiplik (Companionship) Cem Ritual
It is held regardless of a specific date or time throughout the year. The Musahiplik Cem occupies an important place among the other Cems. Alevism strives to be perfect human being by making people mature. It has a structure that ensures solidarity bringing families together.
The individuals that will become Musahip (companion) first go through a trial process They state that they want to become Musahip in the presence of Dede (spiritual leader) and the community after the ritual. However, they are not declared Musahip immediately. Dede gives them one-year trial period. If at the end of the year the individuals still agree, sacrifice is made, the Musahiplik Cem is held and they are declared Musahip before the community. (Yıldırım,2018;255)
The partners make a lifelong commitment to care for the needs of each other in the presence of Dede. They are partners in everything except for their honour. (Yıldırım,2018;253). Children of Musahip are regarded as brothers and sisters, so marriage between their families is prohibited. This situation can be carried forward three or seven generations.
The Dardan İndirme/Lokma Cem Ritual
This Cem, in which the individuals please each other, is a kind of apology. The Dardan İndirme Cem ritual is related to the death of mother, father or a relative. It isn’t held on a specific day but holding it within the same year is regarded as duty. All the relatives and friends of the late person are invited, and it is asked for their blessing before both dede and the public. If the late person has any debt, it is paid. If someone owes to the person that passed away, they pay the debt to a relative of the late person. Thus, they give their blessing to that person by having meals and praying.
The Cumalık/Muhabbet/ Kısır Cem Ritual
The Friday Cems, which are held routinely throughout the year, are the Cems held in Alevi villages on Thursday evenings, called Friday evenings.
In this Cem, forty-eight Thursdays are accepted and four Thursdays of the month of Ramadan are excluded, and no Cem is held on these four Thursdays. Unlike other Cems, this Cem is not a large one that takes place with the participation of the whole village and all the services. These are the Cems in which conversations are made about religious education, historical events, and refreshing the faith accompanied by Dede, father, guide or the notables of the village sharing Lokma without sacrificing an animal.(Yıldırım,2018;284)