Companionship Ritual in Alevism and General Considerations about Age in Practice of This Ritual

Companionship, one of the most important ritual of Alevism, is brotherhood adoption that is not based on kindredship, completely established bonds of love. An individual (aspirant) who affiliated alevism belief has to adapt this ritual and find companion called “an adopted maid” for herself. Every Alevi individual who turned a certain age and mind maturity, declares this brotherhood with a special religious ceremony (ritual) and obliged to maintain this companionship until the lifelong in frame of the rules which we will present the details of this work. Like any other ritual of Alevism-Islamic belief, this ritual is practiced in the presence of patriarch/ guide and jem square (companionship jem). We will also touch to explain of general principles about companionship ritual, transmit accepted views on the history / theological origin of the companionship and general evaluation of the age that occurs in the practice of companionship