The expressions of Alevi-Bektashi culture and symbols in Turkey regarding interior space in cemevis

This study examines the spatial reflections of the Alevi-Bektashi culture and its symbols in the interior spaces of cemevis (Alevi worship centers) in Turkey. It investigates how the cultural, social, and behavioral values of the Alevi-Bektashi community are embodied in the design and organization of cemevis. The primary aim of the study is to understand how symbolic values, derived from Alevi-Bektashi beliefs, rituals, and behavioral codes, are spatially expressed within cemevis.An interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted in the study, with data collected through literature reviews, field observations, and oral interviews. Fieldwork conducted in Ankara involved interviews with dedes (spiritual leaders), zakirs (musicians), semah performers, and cemevi users and administrators. The analysis focused on symbolic codes significant in Alevi-Bektashi culture, such as numbers, animals, and colors, as well as concepts like the "Four Gates and Forty Stations" teaching and the cem ritual. The findings reveal that the interior design of cemevis is deeply rooted in Alevi-Bektashi cultural symbols and that these symbols are harmoniously integrated into the spatial organization to reflect the community's behavioral codes and interactions. For example, the use of twelve structural elements representing the Twelve Imams, or the incorporation of specific colors and motifs that merge functionality with symbolism, demonstrates how the community's behavioral codes are translated into spatial expression.Furthermore, the study identifies that cemevis are not merely places for performing rituals but also serve as spaces where individuals express their social and cultural identities and interact with their community. By examining the spatial and symbolic dimensions of cemevis, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of how space is shaped by behaviors and cultural codes. The findings offer unique contributions, particularly in evaluating religious and communal spaces within the context of the culture-behavior-space relationship. Keywords: Alevi-Bektaşi Culture, Cemevis, Symbols, Behavioral Codes, Spatial Design, Interior Architecture