The Shadows of Shah Ibrahim Veli Association in Amasya Region

Abstract

The social structure of Anatolia Alawism connects wholly the associations of dede. In fact, the associations that made up the families of dede, have an important place in Alawi culture and tradition. Furthermore, the associations give shape to the social and cultural connections of Alawi communities in traditional meaning. There is an important place of Shah İbrahim Veli Association in associational tradition whom Anatolia Alawism has an original side. The center of association is Ballikaya (Mezirme) village in Hekimhan, a district of Malatya. Ballikaya (Mezirme) village, an old settlement center has a rooted history and past. Our information about Shah İbrahim Veli that association has taken its name from him are kept in the background of legends as some saints has given the name to Alawi/Bektashi associations. Our information about him has been based on- to a large scale- on oral culture that has been among people. Therefore we haven't got detailed information about his life. Nevertheless according to oral tradition, it has been guessed that Shah İbrahim Veli lived in XV. century. Shah İbrahim Veli grew up in Erdebil association that has an important place in the historical development of Anatolia Alawism then came to Malatya region and acted in this region. There are disciples of Shah İbrahim Veli association in Amasya region that are wealthy in historical meaning as well. In this paper, we will try to evaluate the belief, worship and social structure of disciples of Shah İbrahim Veli association that has lived in Amasya region with various dimensions.