Cem rituals at Hüseyin Gazi hearth in Kütahya province

Kutahya, hosted different cultures during history, is one of the important settlement areas. The historical period in Kutahya, started with Phrygians, continued with Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Germiyans and Ottomans. Kutayha hosted many civilizations during these periods. Kutahya has importance in terms of sourcing culture and history. The cultural activities of Turkmen tribes living in the area cannot be ignored. In this regard, Alevî-Bektashi cems which are kept under wraps up till today are tried be brought to light with the help of this study. In the introduction part of our study, some information about Kutahya is submitted, and then; cult, hearth, dede, and cem ceremony concepts are dealed. In addition to these, the studies on Alevîsm and hearths in Turkey and Kutahya are included chronologically. Our study about cem rituals at Huseyin Gazi Hearth in Kutahya Kors Village is consisted of two chaphers. In the first chapter, it is tried to be presented old Turkic religion, hearth cult, the relationship between hearth cult and other cults, hearth in Alevî-Bektashi cult, the hierarchical structure of hearths, the names and number of hearths, the missions and functions of hearths and dedes who are the sons of hearths, the similarity between shamans and dedes who are the sons of hearths, Huseyin Gazi Hearth which is one of the Alevî Hearths in Anatolia, Alevîsm in Kutahya and its relations with Huseyin Gazi Hearth. In the second chapter, the life of Huseyin Gazi, the tomb of Huseyin Gazi in Kutahya, functioning in Huseyin Gazi Hearth, cem rituals at Huseyin Gazi Hearth and cems according to their purposes are studied fitting the purpose of this thesis. In this study, some information about Alevîsm and cem rituals are submitted, centered Huseyin Gazi Hearth in Kutahya. I wish this study shall be a pathfinder for the scientists who will study in the relevant field. Key words: Alevîsm, Bektashism, Cem Ceremony, Rituals, Kutahya.