Traditions and customs of Akdag village Alevis in Gümüşhane province Kelkit district

Humanity has needed faith throughout history. It is seen that the process developed with myths and totems, from gathering and hunting, to agriculture and shepherding, and after the transition to settled life, religious thinking also gained continuity and became an important element of human culture. In the light of Turkish-Islamic beliefs, the Alevi-Bektashi belief is a belief system that enriches Turkish-Islamic beliefs in terms of culture. Alevism is one of the Turkish sects that developed and spread in Anatolia. The philosophy, customs and traditions of this sect, which was affected by Sufism, show characteristics towards Turks. It is one of the sects that fused the ancient Turkish religious beliefs with Islam, surrounded the rich culture, language and emotions expressed as Sufism, in the national structure, and valued reason and science. Gümüşhane Alevism, which developed under the leadership of Hacı Bektaş Veli under the caliphate of Güvenç Abdal, has grown until the 16th century. The process that developed after Güvenç Abdal's transfer to the region is a success. The doctrine that started to be represented in the Kurdish in the person of Güvenç Abdal and spread to the Eastern and Central Black Sea with the faith-grandfather quarry he established; It has been a vital, religious and historical exit for the people of the region. In the field study, the method of observation and interview was used to compile the customs, traditions and customs of Akdağ Village. Context-centered folklore methods were used in the analysis of this compiled study. In the framework of these methods, the customs of Akdağ Village Alevis were examined with the "Mutual Interview (Interview) Method" and the "Compilation Method". Key Words: Alevism, Bektashism, Faith, Turkish Islam, Gümüşhane