Güvenç Abdal One of the Bektashi Saints and His Pedigree Bektaşî Erenlerinden Güvenç Abdal ve Şeceresi

During the 1200s and 1300s, Anatolia grappled with invasions and internal strife. In the midst of these challenges, specific movements emerged that would eventually lay the foundation for Anatolian Alevism. Their primary goal was the Islamization of Anatolia. To this end, lodges were established, and religious leaders sent pioneers like dervishes, mystics, and spiritual guides to various parts of Anatolia to spread Islam and ease its conquest. One such location was the Harşit Valley in Gümüşhane, situated along the Silk Road of the time, surrounded by rugged mountains and cliffs, named after the Harşit River flowing through it. Güvenç Abdal, assigned to this region by the renowned Hacı Bektaş Veli, (Ḥāccī Bektāş Velī, d. 669/1270–1?), settled here and established his spiritual lodge despite the challenging conditions of the area. While his exact birth and death dates remain unknown, it is believed that Güvenç Abdal lived between the 1200s and 1300s. His lineage has persisted for centuries through oral traditions and spread across many cities in Turkey. The Güvenç Abdal lodge, a quintessential example of Anatolian Alevism, not only provided services like feeding and hosting travelers, repairing their mounts, and ensuring their safety due to its strategic position on the trade route but also undertook crucial responsibilities. Furthermore, recognizing the significance of this valley for national trade, Fatih Sultan Mehmet granted the lodge various tax exemptions and protections. Sadly, the present status of this esteemed lodge is on the verge of being forgotten. Historical documents held by the lodge's descendants require restoration, translation, and preservation. In studies conducted on Güvenç Abdal and his lodge, there has been a tendency to focus solely on its sociodemographic structure, often overlooking its theological significance. Neglecting the translation and reading of the cherished genealogical tree, central to the lodge culture, has resulted in a gap in understanding the interconnectedness of ideas and events. Introducing this lodge's founder and genealogy, which still has many followers today, holds great importance. Our research aims not only to sketch the portrait of a historical figure but also to delve into the socio-political climate of the era, and its influence on people, society, and their thought processes.