Gülbenk & Prayer in Alevism

In this video, Pir Hüseyin Elmas offers reflections on the structure, function, and religious meaning of prayer in Alevism, accompanied by an example of a Kurdish Gülbenk. In the Alevi belief system, Gülbenks are not merely ritualized verbal formulas; they are spiritual utterances through which the bond between Hak and the devotee is articulated and the sacred is invoked through speech. Throughout the video, examples illustrate how prayer fosters a sense of community, establishes a connection with the past, and provides guidance for the individual on the path of Hakikat. The use of Kurdish in this transmission particularly highlights both the mediating role of the local language and the resilience of oral culture.

This recording is among the oral narratives documented during the Pirler–Analar Workshop held on 10–11 May 2025 at the Dortmund Alevi Cultural Center – Rıza Şehri Academy (DAKME). Conducted within the framework of the Alevi Encyclopedia project, this work aims to document the oral transmissions of pirs and anas, make them visible on a digital platform, and transmit religious memory to future generations. The video constitutes an important example for the preservation and archiving of the linguistic and ritual heritage of the Kurdish Alevi community.