The perception of alevism in Arguvan district of Malatya province

Recently, numerous academic studies have been conducted on Alevism. Field studies related to the Alevi belief system have accelerated, revealing the unknown characteristics of Alevis living in communal structures. The challenges, pressures, and oppressions they have faced in their geographical regions have led to cultural differentiations. This research includes findings and observations about the belief structure of the people living in the Arguvan district of Malatya province and the changes in this structure. To obtain comprehensive and in-depth information in line with the stated purpose of the research, the phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research designs, was preferred as the method. Alevi citizens residing in various neighborhoods of Arguvan district, determined by the snowball sampling model, were included in the research. Various questions were directed to the participating Alevi citizens during the interviews. The questions asked were analyzed through content analysis. The research consists of five main sections, excluding the introduction and conclusion. The first section includes the research topic and scope, the purpose and significance of the research, and information about the preferred method and research area. The second section discusses the definition and emergence process of Alevism, the third section covers the ocak system in Alevism, the fourth section addresses worship practices in Alevism, the fifth section discusses companionship and delinquency in Alevism, the sixth section highlights exemplary figures in Alevism, and the seventh section presents various findings obtained from interviews related to Alevism in the Arguvan region. The final section includes conclusions based on the findings obtained from interviews with Alevi citizens residing in various neighborhoods of Aarguvan district of Malatya province during the research process. The research concluded that the perception of Alevism among Alevis living in Arguvan district, the historical structure of this perception, and information about the ocaks and dedes they are affiliated with were obtained, and these findings and information have an impact on their belief practices. It was observed that the influence of Alevism on their lives and adherence to Alevi teachings decreased with younger ages. Compared to their old lifestyles, it was determined that adherence to Alevi teachings and the authority of Dede and Pir has weakened.