Abstract:
This study focuses on the role of the collective emotions and values in the
formation and the transformation of identity based conflicts. The research is about the
transformation and the politicization of Alevi identity within the social and political
context of post 1980 Turkey. Alevi identity has ethno-sectarian origins, but it has taken a
multiplicity of forms during the ongoing process of identity transformation. The
academic and popular literature on Alevilik has often referred to the period starting from
the late 1980‘s as the ―Alevi revival‖
Alevis, one of the largest identity groups in Turkey, are geographically spread all
over Turkey. Alevi identity has traditionally been a strong identity with clear cultural
boundaries, moral values, rituals and shared collective emotions. This identity,
historically and culturally, has ethno-sectarian origins, which have been maintained for
centuries through endogamous social order in a rural context. Because of the processes of rapid urbanization and modernization, the traditional Alevi identity and social order have
been transforming into new forms.
The social, political, emotional and normative aspects of the identity construction
and negotiation processes are explored via collective and ―personal‖ narratives. Personal
life stories, widely shared public narratives, and symbolic and linguistic resources are the
essential resources for this research. A multiplicity of data sources have been used for this
research but the main data is the formal qualitative interview transcripts of more than 70
Alevi‘s that were actively involved, and still getting involved in this process of revival. I
also have resorted to the transcripts and records of some semi-academic discussions that
help outline general discussions. The interviews have been conducted in three big cities,
Istanbul, Ankara and Malatya, between February 2006 and April 2007. Other data sources
such as new Alevi literature, Alevi journals, web sites, newspapers and some public
events have also been analyzed in order to collect public narrative accounts.
