Author(s): Fatih Ä°YÄ°YOL
A deep reverence and commitment is observed towards the Twelve Imams in AlawiteBektashi tradition. As a result of this respect, düvâz-düvâzimam poetry tradition has emerged, the main theme of which is the Twelve Imams. Bards/ poets have come to acknowledge saying and writing düvâz as a prerequisite for being Alawite-Bektashi. Hence every poet bound to the tradition has a duvaz. Starting with Hz. Ali, the Twelve Imams are commemorated In duvaz poems. Along with their names, the titles of the Twelve Imams are also mentioned and imams are venerated with general expressions on occasion. Duvaz poems have a rich function in Alawite-Bektashi tradition. Duvaz poems have an effective function in every ritual on which the tradition is reflected; particularly in Cems. Although Alavite-Bektashi poets see the twelve Imams as historical personage, they have moved away from reality in their expressions about the Imams from time to time. By moving away from historical ground, they have been depicted as mythological heroes, and with the impact of oral tradition, the Twelve Imams have become a cult. In duvaz poems the effects of the Twelve Imam understanding of Imamiyye Shiaite and Hurufi tradition is observed. These impacts have been blended in Alawite Bektashi tradition in time which, different from these two écoles(schools), gave birth to a unique twelve imam understanding. In this study, the historical development and content of this genre from 15th century to the present day have been analyzed. Functional analysis has been used in this study.
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