Crystal earring for celibate Bektashi Sufis

1875

Earring (mengüş) of crystal for Bektashi Sufis. This earring was worn by Mehmed Ali Hilmi Baba (1842-1907), Bektashi poet and baba (superior) of the dargah of Şahkulu in Istanbul. \The earring is part of the spiritual attire and was worn by unmarried Bektashi babas. A baba is the title for older men and among the Bektashi people specifically for those with religious authority. Like other elements of the baba outfit, the earring refers to the Bektashi teachings. The earring was worn in the right ear and could take the symbolic form of a Bektashi pendant, a teslim tasi (see for example 7031-42). There were also silver earrings in the shape of a horseshoe, in reference to Düldül, the horse of Ali. This last form was worn as a sign of servitude, similar to the servitude of Düldül (De Jong 1989:10). When one earring is worn, it is called Hasani, after the Shiite imam Hassan. When two earrings are worn it is called Husaini, after Hussein (Brown 1968:179). \Such earrings were worn exclusively by the celibate branch of the Bektashi Sufi order. In the past, obtaining an earring was the hallmark of the ceremony in which a person became a celibate dervish. This ritual took place on the threshold of the house of Balim Sultan, in Turkey. Since the abolition of Sufi orders in Turkey in the 1920s, this ceremony has been performed at the Bektashi headquarters in Tirana, Albania (Birge 1937:165). \The earring has twelve corners. The meaning of the twelve points can be interpreted in several ways. The main meaning is that the points symbolize the twelve Shiite imams. When Bektashi's got into conversation with Christians, however, they referred to the twelve apostles (Birge 1937: 232). Another interpretation possibility was that the twelve corners symbolized the twelve nations of Israel, i.e. the progenitors of the Jewish people (Birge 1937: 217). The fact that an element like twelve corners could have all three of these meanings shows the connection and overlap of Bektashism with other religions. In addition, the symbols with dual meanings made it easier to convince both Muslims and Christians of Bektashism (Birge 1937: 210). \The crystal stone from which the earring is made is called Najaf, after the city where the mineral originated and where Ali's mausoleum stands. Bektashi's also connect this material to the (biblical story of) the prophet Moses: first he gave manna and quail to the Jews, after which they also demanded water. So he struck a rock, from which twelve springs sprang, after which each people could drink from its own spring (Birge 1937: 233).‖ Luca Bruls, 2016.