ABSTRACT
There is a sizable Alevi religious minority among the predominantly Sunni Muslim immigrant community from Turkey in Germany. Based on dissertation research among Alevis between 2010 and 2013, this article investigates the experiences of Alevis, currently living in Germany, who trace their background to locations within the boundaries of the Turkish nation. Music has been a particularly important mode through which Alevis in Germany have articulated collective histories and have fashioned terms for belonging to multiple and sometimes conflicting identities. Music, sacred or not, plays a vital role in Alevi identity formation and has deep kinesthetic and symbolic meaning for the Alevis. One of the essential social activities for the members of Alevi community has been attending türkü bars, musical venues that feature “folk music” along with other kinds of music from Turkey.
