A History of the Anatolian Kızılbaş-Alevis (c. 16th to Early 20th Century)

Abstract

This chapter outlines the history of the Anatolian Kızılbaş-Alevis between the 16th and 20th centuries. The Alevis are a religious community that makes up between 10 and 20 percent of the Turkish population today. Their religious norms and practices differ considerably from both Sunni and Shiʾi Islam, and they are not recognized as a religious minority in Turkey. The chapter critically engages with various narratives on the origins of Alevis and their persecution as ‚heretic‘ agents of the Safavid shahs on Ottoman territory. It also delves into the evolution and development of the Alevis‘ religious norms and practices and their entangled history with neighboring communities. Historically being organized in holy lineages (ocaks) as well as (semi)nomadic tribal communities, the Alevis started to organize themselves in private organizations and cultural associations in their struggle for political recognition in the Republic of Turkey.