‘DÜŞKÜNLÜK’ UNDERSTANDING AND ‘DÜŞKÜN KALDIRMA’ METHODS AT KEÇECI BABA LODGE

Abstract

With the arrival of Horasan saints in Anatolia in the 13th century and the establishment of hearth (ocak) system, which developed upon the spread and institutionalization of Alevism among nomadic communities, had an impact on the Alevi belief and social structure. The worship system, which is maintained on the axis of the mursid, pīr, rehber, dede, and tālip, also constitutes the framework of the social law system. The names of the ocaks are mentioned with the names of the saints they are affiliated with. It is seen that the founders of the hearths must come from the family of the ahl al-bayt, show miracles and serve, and it is seen that those who have one or more of these aspects usually set up a hearth. The duty of dede continues to be carried out by the Ocakzāde dedes who are the descendants of the aforementioned saints. The Alevi way to say this is Hak, Muhammed, and Ali. The Alevi ocak system, which is active in social life, made its own definition of crime while applying justice and applied its punishments in accordance with the method. The way and the method of Alevism, which has come down to the present day with oral culture, continue in the same way in very few hearths. Keçeci Baba, who came to Anatolia in the 13th century and is estimated to be one of the last members of the Akhī organization, established a zawiyah in the region called Fakihler and later known as Keçeci village. Keçeci Baba Ocağı, founded by Seyyid Ahi Mahmud Veli, still exists in the Keçeci village of Erbaa district in Tokat, by the dedes who are Keçeci Baba Ocakzades, together with their methods. Although the concept of düşkünlük (fondness) and düşkün kaldırma (lifting fond) in Alevism has been adequately researched, Keçeci Baba Ocağı has not been dealt with comprehensively together with his methods before. For this reason, the understanding of indulgence in Keçeci Baba’s Ocağı and the place of raising the poor are important. It is emphasized that the rules to be followed by the aspirants while applying the methods are determined according to the Order of Imām Jaʿfar al- Ṣādiq, the sixth imam, and it is stated that Keçeci Baba's lineage goes back to Imām Mūsā l-Kāẓim. In the study, the experiences of Keçeci Baba Dede Mahmut Koç, who made the applications, and our observations were evaluated, and the subject was discussed more holistically with document analysis. The aim of the study is to make the Qur'ānoriented explanations of Mahmut Koç's, understanding of “düşkünlük” and the practices “düşkün kaldırma” methods. Keywords: Alevi Ocaks, Keçeci Baba Ahi Mahmud Veli, Keçeci Baba Ocağı, Düşkünlük, Düşkün Kaldırma Methods.