<研究動向・研究レビュー>現代トルコのアラブ・アレヴィー研究動向

Abstract

This paper aims to examine previous studies on Arab Alevis in contemporary Turkey. Arab Alevis, an Arabic speaking minority with an Ali-oriented Islamic faith as their name indicates, inhabit mainly the south-eastern part of Turkey facing the Mediterranean. In scholarly history, they have been better known as their general appellation in the Islamic world: Nusayris or Alawis. As an ethnic group with its own religious origin back in 9th century Iraq, distinction should be made carefully from other Turkish or Kurdish Alevis of Anatolia. Only a few studies focused specifically on the Arab Alevis have been done until recently compared to those on the Nusayris/Alawis in general or the Syrian Alawis. While this previous situation is apprehensible as a reflection of the difference between the Arab Alevis and the Syrian Alawis in their political presence in each nation, we have witnessed a maarked increase in the number of publications and studies on the Arab Alevis especially since 2000. Those works can be broadly categorized into two groups: the first one is books written by Arab Alevi sheikhs on their religious creed or history, which should be taken as sources for future study. The second one is academic or pseudo-academic works among which a considerable number of studies based on historical documents or field research in Arab Alevi communities can be found. In this paper, I will focus on the latter academic studies that have shed much needed light on the public/private life of Arab Alevis in contemporary Turkey.