Ocak or Odjak (Turkish: Ocak, Kurdish: Ocax, Azerbaijani: Ocaq, lit. 'hearth') is the particular religious community which adherents of Alevism belong to. In Alevi tradition, each ocak is led by a dede, who is assumed to be descended from sayyids.
Structuring
Ocaks are interconnected and there is a familial connection between them. At the top of the family tree is Haji Bektash Veli. There are people descended from every ocak. The Dedes which are the older sons of ocaks are in a higher position then the younger sons. This hierarchical structure is part of the "Hand in hand, Haqq" mentality.
There are Dede ocaks in Turkey whose hierarchy has not been established due to the lack of research. The most well-known example is the Şücaeddin Veli.
References
- Aydin, Suavi (2018). Alevism as an Ethno-Religious Identity: Contested Boundaries. Routledge. p. 23.
- Yaman, Prof. Dr. Ali. "Kizilbash Alevi Dedes". Retrieved November 17, 2022.
All Alevi Dedes are affiliated with a particular Ocak . Because of this, they are also called Ocakzade . The Ocakzade dedes are assumed to be descendants of the Prophet, and are accordingly called "seyyid".
- Dede Ahmet Kuzukıran İle Söyleşi. Gazi Üniversitesi, Doç.Dr. İbrahim Arslanoğlu. Erişim Tarihi: 2014-12-15
- Mehmet Ersal (2012). Şücaeddin Veli Ocağı: Balkan Aleviliğindeki Yeri, Rolü Ve Önemi. Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi. Erişim Tarihi: 2014-12-15
- Çubuk Yöresi Alevi Ocakları Ve Kurucuları. Doç. Dr. İbrahim Arslanoğlu. Erişim Tarihi: 2014-12-15