Musical practices of the Izmir Yamanlar Alevi immigrants in the context of the Alevi musical revival

This study explores the ritual and non ritual musical practices of Alevi immigrants who migrated from the Central and Eastern Anatolia to Yamanlar District, Izmir in the context of `Alevi music revival?. Yamanlar Alevis organised themselves at `Hacı Bektaşi Veli Kültür ve Dayanışma Derneği Karşıyaka Şubesi? ( a religious association) in 1993. This association?s name was changed as `Alevi Kültür Dernekleri Karşıyaka Şubesi (Yamanlar Cemevi)? (it has its own `cemevi?) in 2009. This study has endured researches, observations and interviews for one year. Alevis who consist of different ethnic communities are heteredoks Muslims whose worship is comparatively different from Ortodoks Muslims. This religiously marginalized social group loves imam Ali willingly who is the prophet Muhammed?s cousin and son-in-law. Alevis? social and religious leader is called dede manages cem ritual in which music and dance (semah) play an important role This study consists of three parts. In the first part, historical background, faith, culture, social organizations and revival of Alevis were considered. Secondly, cultural identity, memories and music revival?s components of Alevis were associated. Finally, the third part covers defining and evalutaing the ritual and non ritual musical practices starting with achievements of first two parts working under the selected case study Music revival can be defined as to be on the agenda (today) of a music tradition which is thought that this tradition is becoming lost or definitely lost in the history. After end of 1980?s, either industralization or changes in Turkish political life affected Alevis and so Alevi music revival was born. Accordingly, Yamanlar Alevis? ritual and non ritual musical practices have also been affected by Alevi music revival. Popular repertoire, new bağlama (Turkish folk string instrument) techniques such as şelpe, çekme etc. and new music technologies such as amplifier, microphone etc.(which have been popularized by Alevi music revivalists) are still being performed in Yamanlar Alevis? ritual and non ritual practices today.