Nature and Alevis, Jiar u Diyar, Herd u Dewreş, Raa Haqi, Xızır/Hızır, Jiare, Ziyaret, and Sacred Place – Pir Haydar Buğa
In this video, Pir Haydar Buğa offers a detailed explanation of the concept of Herd-u Dewreş (the land or abode of the dervish) in Dersim Alevism (Raa Haqi), grounding his discussion in the understanding of sacred land in Dersim and the phenomenon of jiare (sacred place). He emphasizes that Herd-u Dewreş does not refer merely to a specific location, but expresses a holistic understanding of the yol that is intertwined with sacred geography, religious practice, and cosmological continuity.
At the center of the narrative is the phenomenon of jiare. Pir Haydar Buğa approaches jiare as the gateways and reflections of the batın realm in the zahir world, explaining that these sacred places form a wide network across villages, their surroundings, travel routes, and mountain peaks. This network, he notes, reflects a multilayered system of relationships in Dersim Alevism that extends beyond human interactions to include nature, space, and batın beings.
By elaborating on the paired concepts of Jiar and Diyâr, the Pir demonstrates how space is conceptualized within Alevi cosmology. In this framework, Dersim Alevism is presented not only through visible Ocak–talip relations, but also as a coherent and comprehensive cosmological structure woven together with batın characters. All living and non-living beings are described as holding meaningful positions within this cosmology, where nature is understood as a sacred domain of existence.
Pir Haydar Buğa’s explanations, delivered particularly through Kırmancki (Zazaki) expressions, offer an emic and insider perspective on Dersim Alevism. This linguistic choice renders the worlds of meaning surrounding jiare, sacred places, and cosmological figures more tangible and profound. Throughout the video, the Pir also illustrates—through the belief in Xızır—how notions of sacredness, the yol, and protective beings are shaped within the Raa Haqi tradition.
In this respect, the video addresses the relationship between Herd-u Dewreş, jiare, and sacred geography in Dersim Raa Haqi Alevism within a comprehensive cosmological framework. It offers a highly instructive account for understanding the deep connections that the Alevi belief system establishes with nature, space, and the batın realm.
This recording was made on 6–7 December 2025 at the CAN TV studios in Cologne, Germany, as part of the Alevi Encyclopedia’s oral history and visual archive project, within the “From the Words of the Path’s Guides” series.
At the center of the narrative is the phenomenon of jiare. Pir Haydar Buğa approaches jiare as the gateways and reflections of the batın realm in the zahir world, explaining that these sacred places form a wide network across villages, their surroundings, travel routes, and mountain peaks. This network, he notes, reflects a multilayered system of relationships in Dersim Alevism that extends beyond human interactions to include nature, space, and batın beings.
By elaborating on the paired concepts of Jiar and Diyâr, the Pir demonstrates how space is conceptualized within Alevi cosmology. In this framework, Dersim Alevism is presented not only through visible Ocak–talip relations, but also as a coherent and comprehensive cosmological structure woven together with batın characters. All living and non-living beings are described as holding meaningful positions within this cosmology, where nature is understood as a sacred domain of existence.
Pir Haydar Buğa’s explanations, delivered particularly through Kırmancki (Zazaki) expressions, offer an emic and insider perspective on Dersim Alevism. This linguistic choice renders the worlds of meaning surrounding jiare, sacred places, and cosmological figures more tangible and profound. Throughout the video, the Pir also illustrates—through the belief in Xızır—how notions of sacredness, the yol, and protective beings are shaped within the Raa Haqi tradition.
In this respect, the video addresses the relationship between Herd-u Dewreş, jiare, and sacred geography in Dersim Raa Haqi Alevism within a comprehensive cosmological framework. It offers a highly instructive account for understanding the deep connections that the Alevi belief system establishes with nature, space, and the batın realm.
This recording was made on 6–7 December 2025 at the CAN TV studios in Cologne, Germany, as part of the Alevi Encyclopedia’s oral history and visual archive project, within the “From the Words of the Path’s Guides” series.
Interviewer
- Ahmet Kerim Gültekin
