Eskişehir Province Odunpazarı District Yörükkırka Cemevi rituals and music practices

Music, which has existed from the formation of the universe to the present day, is one of the most effective and widespread forms of art, conveying human emotions and thoughts in the most beautiful way. As a branch of art, music is one of the major cultural elements that not only completes emotional development in humans but also plays a significant role in culture. Historically, music has developed in diverse ways within different cultures. Turkish Music, which belongs to Turkish culture, is among the most varied and complex of these. Under the title of Turkish Music, there are two main branches: Turkish Classical Music and Turkish Folk Music. The sub-genres belonging to the Alevi-Bektashi culture within the religious music category fall under the title of Sufi Folk Music within Turkish Folk Music. Musical practices performed during religious services known as Cem rituals among Alevi-Bektashi communities constitute one of the essential pillars of this culture. The musical elements performed during these rituals, such as Nefes, Duvaz-ı Imam, Mersiye, Semah, Mihraçlama, Gülbang, and Nevruziye, although musically rich, are essentially religious rituals. The aim of this study is to exemplify musical practices in Alevi Cems, focusing on the Yörükırka village Cemevi located in the Odunpazarı district of Eskişehir province. Accordingly, the research question was defined as "What is the role of music in the Cem rituals – İcra/Sohbet Cem and Ayin-i Cem – performed in the Cemevi?" Using field research and a qualitative research model, the study identified rituals accompanied by music based on the statements of ritual participants. As a result, this research has revealed how the Alevi-Bektashi belief system, which has existed within the Anatolian geography and culture, has evolved from past to present, and the contributions made to the Alevi-Bektashi faith and musical practices by the communities living in or having migrated to Yörükırka village of Odunpazarı district, Eskişehir, due to various reasons.