An ethnographic field research on the Abdals: The Abdals of Antalya, culture, identity and social change

The subject of this study is the Abdals community living in Antalya. The Abdals, who speak Turkish and have the Alevism Bektashism faith, have a rich cultural content in terms of lifestyle, beliefs and values. The aim of the research is to contribute to the academic and scientific studies on the Abdals by interpreting the historical documents about the Abdals of Antalya and the findings obtained from the field research. In the study, the answer to the basic problem of how a change has occurred in the cultural and economic life of the Abdals community, which has moved from nomadism to settled life, has been sought. The research is based on an ethnographic model and is limited to the Abdals community living in Antalya. In the research, data were collected using data collection tools such as in-depth interviews, participatory observation and document review, and the collected data were classified according to their meaning, content and analyzed in the context of a meaningful and interpretive approach. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the transition to the established order led to a number of changes and transformations in the faith, economy, education, leisure concept and political views of the Abdals, especially the family institution. It has been determined that the most important elements constituting the Abdal identity are the language that Abdals speak among themselves, instrumentalism, Alevism Decency, Ataturkism and Citizenship of the Republic of Turkey. Although it has been concluded that the education levels of the Abdals are low in general, it has been determined that the Abdals have an intra-group marriage structure. It has been concluded that the beliefs of Alevism and Bektashism are decisive in the traditions of birth, naming, funeral and military service of the Abdals of Antalya, where the type of monogamy is widespread. The discovery of the existence of such a social group in Antalya region in the Mediterranean geography with its ethnographic dimension is a great source of wealth and cultural diversity from an intellectual and cultural point of view. It is thought that this study may also contribute sociologically and philosophically to the field of Mediterranean civilizations and Mediterranean civilization