From number symbolism to prophecy, an ecstatic and his work aşık cemal and the book of amasya travel; [Sayi simgeciliğinden kehânete bir meczup ve eseri âşik cemâl ve Amasya seyahatnâmesi]
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2017
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In the world of Islam, an ecstatic means someone who has been overwhelmed by the love of God and has never been awakened from this again. In this sense, it is regarded as a different category from “lunatic,” and the ecstatic are respected. Âşık Cemâl, who can be considered one of these ecstatics, was born around 1875 in Istanbul, though it is not known when he died. However, it is understood that he was living in the 1940s. As one of the well-known figures in Istanbul in transition period from the Ottoman to the Republic, he fought for a living with his single string instrument in the streets and coffeehouses. The only work that remained from Âşık Cemâl is The Book of Amasya Travel. That sixteen-page booklet includes some prophecies based on number five. An important part of these prophecies refer to national issues. The author claims that he has informed the public in advance about matters such as Çanakkale Victory, Sakarya Victory, or Hat Reform by means of some signals like cutting his beard or ringing a bell. The fundamental view which underlies the booklet, however, is the Islamic Mysticism. Âşık Cemâl, who was also connected to the Halveti order, presents an understanding of the universe based on the terms unity and love. Cemâl’s instrument’s being one-stringed points out the term unity (vahdet), which means only God has true existence. Nevertheless, despite this mystic approach in the booklet, the single string refers to felicity and national solidarity as well, which indicates that the author adopted a political attitude at the same time. Love, on the other hand, is the yeast of the universe in his views. His state of devotion leads to establishing closeness to God, so it is likely for him to foretell about future. In this article, what is known about Âşık Cemâl’s life will be presented, and, following this, his work, The Book of Amasya Travel, will be analyzed. In the analysis, the sufistic background of the work and the place of prophecy motif in Turkish and Islamic cultures will be taken into consideration. Consequently, it will be revealed that the work is not simply an act of writing on impulse, and the writer pursued a goal for selling his booklet by means of using the subjects which were considered important by the public in that period. © 2017, Milli Folklor Dergisi. All rights reserved.