Socio-cultural and religious aspects of Tahtacilar: Elmalı-Akçaeniş example

The main subject of this study is to examine the cultural and social structure of the Tahtacılar of Akçaeniş, who continue their lives with Alevi traditions, but have their own traditions in their rituals. In this framework, the informations is given about firstly Aleviler, then about the religious rituals and institutions of the Tahtacı Alevileri. In the continuation of the study, evaluations are been made about the Akçaeniş Tahtacılar both through theoretical and practical knowledge. In the first stage of the study, general information about Elmalı district is given. The historical background, geography and social structure of Elmalı are examined. In the next stage of the study, the belief principles, religious rituals and religious institutions specific to Tahtacılar are tried to be explained. In the final stage, Tahtacılar of Akçaeniş are studied and the social customs such as birth, marriage and death of this society and religionrituals about the application of these customs were investigated.