Dergâh-ı Abdal Musa : a heterodox dervish tekke between the state and the people

Abstract

This thesis attempts to propose a hypothetical explanation to the reason of the noteworthy transformation in the relations between the heterodox tekkes and the Ottoman State. Since the foundation of the uc beylik at the fourteenth century, these relations were already based on the mutual interests; however after the appearance of new actors and threats their nature changed significantly. The present study tries to understand especially the period of transformations in the relations between the Ottomans and the heterodox Kalenderî dervishes happened after the appearance of the Safavî State hence late fifteenth and early sixteenth century. It focuses on the idea that following the success of the Safavî propaganda the Ottomans needed an intermediary agent to reach out the heterodox Turcomans and they found it in the dervish tekkes. The regulations in the tekke of iv Hadji Bektash and its reflections on the other Kalenderî tekkes are therefore very important to analyze in details. These transformations will be analyzed through Abdal Musa Tekke of Elmal , Antalya. Abdal Musa appeared as a Kalenderî dervish transformed into a Bektashi sheikh and his tekke was connected directly to the central Hadji Bektash Tekke is one of the significant examples of this State policy against the Turcoman tribes and their heterodox dervishes.