Institutionalization of Ja'farism as a modern identity in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the creation of identity and institutionalization processes of the Ja'faris living in Turkey are discussed in the context of social change in Turkey. Firstly, the historical process of Jafarism and its position in the Turkish society were examined. The effects of urbanization on the institutionalization and identity building of Jafarism were investigated. Because social transformations and changes taking place in Turkey with urbanization and modernization in the last century have led to the emergence of new religious, ethnic and political identities in the country and to the process of institutionalization. In this study, qualitative research techniques such as documentation, interview and direct observation techniques were used. The migration processes of Ja'faris living in Turkey were examined utilizing the Ottoman archive documents. To assess the situation of Ja'faris, living in Turkey today, is made of interviews with leaders and members of the Ja'farism. In addition, observations were made in places of worship and research was conducted by participating in their some rituals. When the obtained data were evaluated, in the process of internal migration, that experienced in Turkey, it is seen that the Ja'faris began to settle in large cities. Because of, has been seen that, Ja'farism in Turkey has been institutionalized in parallel to the urbanization and modernization processes in the Turkish society. This institutionalization was the determining factor in shaping the identity of Ja'farism. However, it has been observed that the identity of the Ja'farism in Turkey is not homogeneous but it has diversity. In addition, it was determined that the mosque played a central role in the institutionalization of Ja'farism and the ashura ceremonies that performed in Muharram constitute an example of institutionalization in the modern sense. The problems and demands of Ja'faris living in Turkey, are also included in the study.