Cemevi

A Cemevi (pronounced and sometimes written as Djemevi) means literally a house of gathering in Turkish and is a place of fundamental importance for Turkey's Alevi-Bektashi populations and traditions. According to Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, it is not a place of worship in the strict sense of the term despite Alevi organizations' such as Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı demands cemevi as places for worshiping to be officially recognized. The accent is laid on its aspect as lieu of assemblage (cem; pronounced djem). Historically, the Cems were usually held outdoors, using candles and torches to light up the place of gathering when it got dark. Often, people from nearby places would come to a cem to have a collective meal. The participants would often bring along food, which they would then distribute during the meal. Nowadays, some of these customs are still preserved. Men and women conduct cem activities and rites together.