Alevi Organization and the Ocak System
In this video, Pir Mahmut Ütebay examines the relationship between the traditional Ocak system and contemporary Alevi institutions operating in Turkey and in the European diaspora, such as cemevis, associations, foundations, and confederations. He discusses how Ocak structures, which historically provided religious guidance, have gradually been replaced by organized Alevi institutions, and offers a comprehensive assessment of both the advantages of this transformation and the tensions it may generate. The video addresses key debates on how traditional forms of religious transmission can be related to and sustained within contemporary institutional frameworks.
This video is compiled from oral narratives recorded during the Pirler–Analar Workshop held on 10–11 May 2025 at DAKME (Dortmund Alevi Cultural Center – Rıza Şehri Academy). Conducted within the framework of the Alevi Encyclopedia project, this work aims to document and digitize the oral transmission of Alevi religious leaders.
This video is compiled from oral narratives recorded during the Pirler–Analar Workshop held on 10–11 May 2025 at DAKME (Dortmund Alevi Cultural Center – Rıza Şehri Academy). Conducted within the framework of the Alevi Encyclopedia project, this work aims to document and digitize the oral transmission of Alevi religious leaders.
