Ocak or Odjak (, , , ) is the particular religious community which adherents of

Alevism Alevism (; ; ) is a syncretic heterodox Islamic tradition, whose adherents follow the mystical Islamic teachings of Haji Bektash Veli, who taught the teachings of the Twelve Imams, whilst incorporating some traditions from shamanism. Differ ...

belong to. In

Alevi Alevism (; ; ) is a syncretic heterodox Islamic tradition, whose adherents follow the mystical Islamic teachings of Haji Bektash Veli, who taught the teachings of the Twelve Imams, whilst incorporating some traditions from shamanism. Differing ...

tradition, each ocak is led by a dede, who is assumed to be descended from

sayyid ''Sayyid'' is an honorific title of Hasanid and Husaynid lineage, recognized as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali's sons Hasan ibn Ali, Hasan and Husayn ibn Ali, Husayn. The title may also refer ...

Structuring

Ocaks are interconnected and there is a familial connection between them. At the top of the family tree is

Haji Bektash Veli Haji Bektash Veli (; ; ; ) was an Islamic scholar, Mysticism, mystic, Wali, saint, sayyid, and philosopher from Greater Khorasan, Khorasan who lived and taught in Anatolia.C. Olsen: Celibacy and Religious Traditions. Oxford University Press. 1st ...

. There are people descended from every ocak. The Dedes which are the older sons of ocaks are in a higher position then the younger sons. This hierarchical structure is part of the "Hand in hand, Haqq" mentality. There are Dede ocaks in Turkey whose hierarchy has not been established due to the lack of research. The most well-known example is the Şücaeddin Veli.Mehmet Ersal (2012)
Şücaeddin Veli Ocağı: Balkan Aleviliğindeki Yeri, Rolü Ve Önemi.
'' Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi. ''Erişim Tarihi: 2014-12-15Çubuk Yöresi Alevi Ocakları Ve Kurucuları.
Doç. Dr. İbrahim Arslanoğlu. Erişim Tarihi: 2014-12-15

References

{{reflist Alevism