Women in Alevism: Perception of ?Alevi women? in the Şahkulu Sultan Dergahı

This study focusing on the women in Alevism aims to determine to what extent the discourses about the place of Alevi women in schism have correspondence in practise. Positioning the place of women in Alevi society historically finding place behind men because of the male-dominant structure of the society is being problematized. Alevi women have been shown as equal with men in most of the Alevi literature and they are identified as free. However, when the patriarchal structure of the Alevi society is considered, it is clearly seen that Alevi women are not very different from those historically kept in the background. It has been emphasized that Alevi women are not independent from the patriarchal structure of the society in which they live and they are not equal with the men in any situations.The fact that Alevi women have always been defined by men with the same statements over the Sunni women causes the misinterpretation that there is not a woman problem in Alevi society. It has been argued that it is a feminist view to state that Alevi women are not as free and equal with men as it has been stated. Woman subject has become more problematic because of the fact that the representation level of women is little if any in dede institution, most of the Alevi leaders are male and they state Alevi women are equal with the men in ever field of life. In this context, a field research was carried out in Şahkulu Sultan Dervish Lodge in order to understand what they thought about the status of the women in Alevi society.With the survey study aiming to understand better the status of the Alevi women since there was not enough investigation about Alevi women, the views about the status of women in social life, pray, working life and permission were evaluated under statistical data. Various data were obtained from these views such as Alevi women?s positioning themselves different from the Sunni women, strictly defending Alevism and women identity and their regarding strange the female dede concept. However, there were many participants subjected to violence, complaining about male dominance and advocating female equality with men about dede institution. In this context, it was emphasized that the statement ?Alevi women are free and they are equal with men in every field? could not be generalized for all Alevi women.Key Words: Alevism, Women, History of Women, Patriarchy, Otherness.