Historical development process Alevism religious leadership (Dedelik) agency (examples of Tunceli and Erzincan)

ABSTRACTMaster ThesisHistorical Development Process AlevismReligious Leadership(Dedelik) Agency(Examples of Tunceli and Erzincan)Seher Kont ErdoğanThe University Of FıratThe Institute Of Social ScienceThe Department Of HistoryThis study briefly summarizes the historical development of Alawism and expla-ins Alawi Bekhtashi belief?s characteristics with examples from Tunceli and Erzincan. The interviews examine and seek to explain the functions of the institution of ?dedelik? in Alawi Bekhtashi culture with a focus on Tunceli and Erzincan. Interviews were con-ducted with Mustafa Erdogan Dede and Ismail Erdogan Dede of ?Ağuiçen Ocağı? in ?Buyukkadağan? Village of Erzincan, who told that their ancestors migrated from Der-sim eight or nine generations before; Ahmet Ugurlu Dede of Duskunler Ocagi in Bessa-ray Village; Ali Hıdır Çetin Dede of ?Kal Ferat Ocağı? in Nazimiye Province of Tunceli city; Zeynel Dede of ?Celal Abbas Ocağı? in Koyungölü Village of Ovacık Province in Tunceli; Suleyman Cevahir Dede of ?Baba Mansur Ocağı?. The findings of the study are summarized in the conclusion section.Key Words: Alevism, the cult of ?ocak?, the ocaks in Dersim, Religious Leadership in Alevism, the mysticism of alevism and bektashism