Alevism is a distinctive belief system within Islamic thought, shaped particularly around devotion to ʿAlī and the Ahl al-Bayt and blended with Sufi teachings. Throughout history, this belief structure has maintained its existence through individual devotional practices and forms of social organization. One of the most significant structures in the institutionalization of Alevism in Anatolia is the ocak system, which has ensured religious and cultural continuity through dede lineages representing religious authority. In this context, the Kureyşan Ocaks stands out as one of the most deeply rooted and influential ocaks within Alevism. Established in eastern Anatolia, particularly in and around Erzincan, this ocak is noteworthy for its historical continuity and religious teachings. The historical development of the Kureyşan Ocak progressed in close connection with the broader historical trajectory of Alevism. With its claim to sayyid lineage and its genealogical chain traced back to the descendants of ʿAlī, the ocak became an important point of reference for Alevi communities in their search for religious authority. At the same time, the guidance of the ocak’s pirs in social life was not limited to religious rituals; it also played a decisive role in transmitting values such as justice, peace, sharing, and solidarity. In this respect, the Kureyşan Ocak has functioned throughout history as a religious and sociocultural center. The Erzincan region, in particular, holds a distinguished place in the historical fabric of Alevism. Throughout history, Erzincan has been an important geography where different religious and ethnic structures have coexisted, and where Alevism has been practiced in both numerically significant and qualitatively rich forms. The teachings of the Kureyşan Ocak, dede-talip relations, cem rituals, and the transmission of knowledge through oral culture have played a determining role in shaping the belief systems of Alevi communities in this region. The Kureyşan Ocak has also exerted a significant influence on talip communities living in Erzincan, assuming a functional role in the performance of cem rituals, the continuation of the musahiplik institution, and the resolution of social problems. Thus, the ocak has emerged not only as a religious institution but also as a carrier of cultural continuity. In this context, the Kureyşan Ocak, one of the long-established ocaks active in Eastern Anatolia, occupies an important position within the belief structure of Alevi communities, particularly in and around Erzincan. This community is observed to have a considerable population of 7,260 people in Erzincan. The findings indicate that the Kureyşan Ocak, in addition to its character as a religious center, has undertaken an institutional function in the transmission of social and cultural continuity. This study aims to examine the historical, religious, and social influences of the Kureyşan Ocak in the specific context of Erzincan. Accordingly, it demonstrates that Alevism is not confined to the sphere of individual belief, but functions as a structure that regulates social and cultural life. Based on a qualitative research method, the study evaluates the historical origins and religious functions of the Kureyşan Ocak through a review of the relevant literature. It also analyzes elements of oral culture, cem rituals, and dede-talip relations. In this way, the role of the Kureyşan Ocak in the formation of Alevi identity in Erzincan is examined holistically within the framework of historical continuity and religious practices.

Keywords: Kureyşan Ocak, Alevism, Erzincan, Anatolia, Belief