Researching Dervishes in Turkish Society: Revisiting Biographical Methods
Although the origin of the word "dervish" is Persian, it has also been integrated into Turkish culture, where it is often associated with the meaning "poor" or "beggar." Over time, the meaning of this complex identity has evolved, gaining various interpretations within Sufi Islam and other communities. The historiography of different communities has also shaped the closeness of these figures to their followers (e.g., within tarikats). Consequently, the vernacular definitions and scriptural positions of dervishes in Islam have varied based on historical and cultural contexts.
Researching dervishes among Alevi communities in Turkish culture has been a complex task, due to the political, cultural, and social intricacies involved. The need for an approach that blends sociology and anthropology, with a focus on biographical research, has grown more pressing in recent years, especially given the weaknesses of prevailing narratives. This presentation will outline a methodology in which the life of a dervish from Amasya was studied using biographical research, fieldwork, in-depth interviews, the dervish's personal diaries, and ethnographic methods. The biographical approach in this study is based on a multilayered process, where in-depth interviews with the family members of Dervish Ruhan reveal their experiences and perspectives on his life, spiritual powers, and the close circle of friends he influenced in a reflexive way. These interviews shed light on his family's genealogy as well as his spiritual influence on the Alevi community. A biography of a spiritual leader is presumed to have a sociological significance.