- Two mystical movements rising from the basis of Alevi-ism are the Bektashi and the Mawlawi (Mawlawiyya) Orders. One section of the Mawlawis is inclined towards the Alevis, and their followers trace a line of Alevi faith within the Sunni sect. Because of the Mawlawi orthodox Sunni tendencies, Mawlawis are occasionally made partners in administration.
- Although neither Hadji Bektash nor Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi were the actual founders, after their death these Orders were established and named after them.
- In the highly cultured environment of Konya, Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi produced works expressing his ideas in Persian, the noble literary language of the period. Hadji Bektash, however, was surrounded by Turkomans, whom he addressed in Turkish, the language they best understood. From this it can be extrapolated that the former was mentor to intellectuals and the latter to the general public.
- Besides Alevi-ism and Bektashi-ism, the Dede procedure in Anatolia is still practiced in certain Sunni sects, such as the Melamis and Mawlawis. Dede is the title given to a senior member of the order. The Dede procedure involves a process by which an individual follows a spiritual guide. In the Dede practices ceremonies in which both sexes participate are common and religious dances called Semah (in Alevi-Bektashi) and Sema (in Mawlawiyya) are performed. These go back to Turkish traditions of pre-Islamic times. Even though Alevi-Bektashi and Mawlawiyya are two different orders, there are similarities in some of their beliefs and practices.
This is a photograph of Sema and Semah being performed side by side on the same stage.
Alevi, ALEVI-ISM, Bektashi, Hadji Bektash, Islam, Konya, Mawlawi, Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, Sema, Semah, Turkomans
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