Women in Alevism: Ana, Religious Authority, and Social Role
Note: This recording was made in German.
In this video, Pir Müslüm Aktar speaks about women in Alevism and the role of gender in Alevi life. He explains the social, religious, and cultural significance of women within the Alevi community. In Alevism, religious authority is not associated only with men. Alongside pir, rayber, and mürşid, there are also anas. The anas have an important spiritual and social role. They transmit knowledge, accompany religious paths, and form part of the religious order within the Ocaks.
Pir Müslüm Aktar also speaks about important female figures in Alevism. One of these figures is Ana Fatma. Strong female figures are also present in many sacred places. In the Dersim context, he mentions the sisters of Düzgı: Xaskar, Zel, and Buyer. Xaskar is described as a cave, Zel as a special mountain, and Buyer as a glacial lake. These places show that female figures have a particular symbolic power in Alevi religious thought. The video therefore explains not only the position of women in social life, but also the spiritual significance of female figures, anas, and sacred places in Alevism.
This recording was made on 18 April 2026 at Alevitische Gemeinde und Cemevi e.V. (Lange Streng 12, 65462 Ginsheim-Gustavsburg), near Frankfurt, as part of the “In the Words of the Spiritual Guides” series of the Alevi Encyclopedia.
In this video, Pir Müslüm Aktar speaks about women in Alevism and the role of gender in Alevi life. He explains the social, religious, and cultural significance of women within the Alevi community. In Alevism, religious authority is not associated only with men. Alongside pir, rayber, and mürşid, there are also anas. The anas have an important spiritual and social role. They transmit knowledge, accompany religious paths, and form part of the religious order within the Ocaks.
Pir Müslüm Aktar also speaks about important female figures in Alevism. One of these figures is Ana Fatma. Strong female figures are also present in many sacred places. In the Dersim context, he mentions the sisters of Düzgı: Xaskar, Zel, and Buyer. Xaskar is described as a cave, Zel as a special mountain, and Buyer as a glacial lake. These places show that female figures have a particular symbolic power in Alevi religious thought. The video therefore explains not only the position of women in social life, but also the spiritual significance of female figures, anas, and sacred places in Alevism.
This recording was made on 18 April 2026 at Alevitische Gemeinde und Cemevi e.V. (Lange Streng 12, 65462 Ginsheim-Gustavsburg), near Frankfurt, as part of the “In the Words of the Spiritual Guides” series of the Alevi Encyclopedia.
Interviewer
- Dr. Ahmet Kerim Gültekin
