Bektashism
Somewhat distinct from but quite similar to Anatolian Alevism is a religious order or sect (tarikat) called the Bektashis, named after Haji Bektash (Hünkâr Hacı Bektaş Veli ), who lived in the 13th century. There have historically been two groups of Bektashis. One, called the Çelebis, claimed that they were direct physical descendants of Haji Bektash ( bel evladı ). A larger group of Bektashis, called the Dedes or Dedebabas, claimed that Haji Bektash had no natural sons but only had spiritual disciples ( yol evladı ). Bektashis are found throughout Anatolia and the Balkans, particularly in Albania.
It has been commonly explained that a person only becomes an Alevi by being born into an Alevi family, but a person can become a Bektashi by joining the sect. In a very broad historical generalization, it has been said that Bektashis were traditionally urbanized and educated while Alevis lived in villages in the Anatolian countryside.