Review article
The presence of dervishes in the territory of Slavonia and Syrmia during the time of the Ottoman rule
Rosana Ratkovčić
Abstract
Presence of dervishes, Sufi orders - tariqats, and Tekke as gathering places of dervishes, in Slavonia in the period of Ottoman rule is almost completely unexplored and unknown. This article is an attempt to represent this part of our cultural history, and the cultural context of the presence and activities of the dervishes in this part of the Croatia, and thus and to provide a starting point and inspiration for future Research in this topic. It is based on the previous studies and the records of travel writers and chroniclers, and on the fi eld research of the sites mentioned by these authors. In Vukovar, the presence of dervishes and the existence of the Tekke and the turbe (tomb) of Hindi-baba is recorded and described by Bartol Kašić and Evliya Çelebi. In Požega, where we have data of the existence of Dervish Tekke, today there is Tekke street (Tekijska ulica) and Tekke fountain (Tekijska česma). In Petrovaradin, on the site where once stood Tekke, today is the church of Our Lady of the Tekke (Gospa Tekijska), and near it there is a fountain which probably originates from the Ottoman era. In Stara Gradiška untill 1954 was the tomb of Sheikh Gaibija, which is then transferred to Bosanska Gradiška. There are many records of the stories and legends about Sheikh Gaibija and his fulfi lled prophecy, and some of his texts are also preserved. Some information about the presence of dervishes in Slavonia could be found in poetry of Aga-dede from Dobor city, in Bosanska Posavina. The poetry of Aga-dede is a source for exploring the dynamics of life in Posavina settlements and their close relationship with Ðakovo, Požega, Osijek and other Slavonian and Hungarian centers. The presence of dervishes in Slavonia could also be explored through the data in defter (census), as well as data on esnaf (guild) organizations, which are known to have been associated with the Sufi orders.
Keywords
dervishes; Sufism; Tekke; türbe; Ottoman Empire; Slavonia; Syrmia
Hrčak ID:
130416
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2014.
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