Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies
[PAST EVENT] The Alevi-Bektashi Digital Archive: A Project of Cultural Preservation
Access & Features
- Open to the public
The Alevi and closely related Bektashi communities represent a marginalized ethno-religious minority, accounting for approximately fifteen percent of Turkey's population, with extensions in the Balkans and a significant Alevi diaspora in Europe. Their presence in historical rural settlements, along with their artistic, cultural, and religious traditions, has experienced a rapid decline since the mid-20th century due to the pressures of modernization, assimilationist policies, and the migration of Alevis to major cities and Western countries for economic or political reasons. This has put Alevi villages and sacred sites at risk of disappearing or being subject to cultural appropriation. Furthermore, Alevi written sources, preserved in the private archives of Alevi dede (spiritual leaders) families, and items of Alevi material culture, including sacred objects, are also at risk of deterioration, destruction, or loss due to various factors, including natural disasters like fires or earthquakes.
The primary objective of the Alevi-Bektashi Digital Archive project is to establish a comprehensive web-based archive dedicated to documenting and safeguarding the endangered historical and cultural heritage of Alevi-Bektashi communities in Anatolia and the Balkans, making it accessible to a broader audience through a user-friendly digital platform.
Sponsored by: AMES