Belief and musical analysis of Arapgir semas faith, choreographic and musical structure in Arapgir semah

Human beings' lives are based on belief phenomena by nature. In time, people become practical in their beliefs and worships and they categorized these phenomena. A regions' beliefs and belief practises shape the customs and cultural values of the region. Meanwhile, the region we addressed constitutes a significant and valuable cultural heredity. While examining Malatya province's Semah, this regions' historical, geographical and cultural formation and belief practises have been researched. This research aims at being based on etnomusicology area, it results in Malatya region's musical, cultural and characteristic feature in terms of notating the compilations, language and dialect, choroegraphic analyses and culture values. The first chapter of the research consists of general information about Malaya region's history, geography, demographical and cultural structre. The second chapter deals with Alevi-Bektashi belief practises, etimology of Cem and Semah words in Malatya' Alevi belief system. In the third chapter, eight semahs including Malatya/Arapgir, Hastek Semahs, Kırklar Semah, Bozok Semah, Ya Hızır Semah, Dün Günü Semah, Ali Nur Semah, Kırat Semah, Ağbaba Semah have been recorded by us and their literary structures, foot sequences, eurhythmy, and choroegraphic characteristics have been examined. Key Words: Alevism, Arapgir, Ethnology of Belief Music, Semah