Cem rituals and music pratices in Alevi-Bektaşi culture: The sample of Samsun Canlar Derneği

Türkiye is one of the countries which has a multi-cultural structure. One of these multi-cultural structures is the Alevi-Bektashi culture, which is an important mosaic of Türkiye society. Cem rituals and musical practices, which are important elements of Alevi-Bektashi collective culture, constitute the fundamental elements of the Alevi-Bektashi belief. In this thesis study, the history, social origins, structure, features, philosophy and musical practices of Cem rituals,which are the dynamics of Alevi-Bektashi culture, have been discussed and examined through the sample of "Samsun Canlar Association". In this context, Cem rituals are carried out with the aim of strengthening social unity and, based on this idea, correctly transferring collective cultural values to future generations. Music also takes an important place in Cem rituals. Cem music is performed especially with saz accompaniment and participates in the ritual along with semahs (ritual dances).The study group of this research consists of dedes, zakirs and talips taking charge in in Samsun Canlar Association. 5 dedes, 4 zakirs and 10 talips have participated in the research. Semi-structured interview and observation techniques have been used in the research. Some observations of the research have been recorded and a few examples of Cem have been observed. The findings obtained from the research are handled under three headings. These are the basic principles of the Alevi-Bektashi belief, the cem rituals in the Alevi-Bektashi belief, and the musical practices which include in the cem worship in the Samsun Souls Association. Under the first heading, four themes have been reached: Alevi belief style, Alevi-Bektashi difference, sufi differences in Alevi-Sunni belief and Alevi Bektashi sacreds. Under the second heading, two themes have been reached: rituals performed in Cem and worship in the Alevi-Bektashi belief. Under the third heading, two themes have been reached: musical practices in Cems with redemption and cems without redemption. According to the results of the research, it has been stated that the basic principles of the Alevi-Bektashi belief are based on Hacı Bektaş Veli's doctrine of 4 Doors and 40 Positions. It has been concluded that concepts such as 3 sunnahs, 7 fards, 17 accompanying, consent and companionship are included in Cem rituals. It has been indicated that 12 services have been carried out in Cem. It has been concluded that the musical practices in Cems with consistent, consist of prayer, folk song, elegy, monotheism, miraclama, semah and gulbanks. It has been suggested being opened of zakir courses in order to keep these musical practices alive and examining musical practices of different periods in this regard.