Abdal (Arabic: أبدال, abdāl, plural of badāl, "substitutes" or "those who take turns") is a term used primarily in Islamic theology, Sufism (Tasawwuf), and ethnography. It refers to distinct concepts depending on the context: a hierarchical rank of saints in Sufi cosmology, and a historical ethnic or tribal group in the Middle East and Anatolia.
1. Sufi Terminology: The Substitutes
In Sufi cosmology and hagiology, the Abdal (often translated as "the Substitutes" or "the Changed Ones") are a category of major saints (awliya) who form part of the unseen spiritual hierarchy (rijal al-ghayb) responsible for maintaining the cosmic order.
- Number and Structure: Classical sources typically cite the number of Abdal as forty (40). They are often described as part of a larger hierarchy that includes the Aqtāb (Poles, usually 4 or 5), Awṭād (Stakes, usually 4), Nuqabāʾ (Chiefs, usually 300), and Nuṣabāʾ (Standing Ones).
- Function: The Abdal are believed to be "substitutes" because when one dies or is elevated in rank, God substitutes another righteous person to take their place, ensuring the number remains constant. They are tasked with administering the affairs of the world (tasarruf), responding to the cries of the distressed, and averting calamities through their spiritual intercession (tawassul).
- Location: Traditional texts frequently associate the Abdal with Syria (al-Shām), citing hadiths (traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) stating that the Abdal are in Syria and that rain and victory are granted through them. Other traditions place them in Iraq or dispersed throughout the world.
- Key Sources: The concept is elaborated in works by major Sufi authorities such as al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi (d. 910), Ibn Arabi (d. 1240) in Futūḥāt al-Makkiyya, al-Qushayri (d. 1072) in al-Risāla al-Qushayriyya, and later by al-Suyuti (d. 1505).
2. Ethnic and Social Groups: The Abdal (Teber/Çingen)
In Turkey, the Levant, and the Balkans, Abdal (also transliterated Abdal, Abdaly, or Ebdali) refers to a distinct peripatetic or semi-nomadic ethnic group, often historically associated with the Dom people (sometimes broadly categorized under the exonym "Gypsy" or Romani, though they are linguistically and ethnically distinct from the Romani/Rom).
- Demographics: They are found predominantly in Turkey (especially Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Anatolia), with communities in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Balkans.
- Language: The group speaks Abdalī (or Teberce), a language classified as a dialect of Domari (an Indo-Aryan language related to Romani). It incorporates significant vocabulary from Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish, and Persian.
- Religion: The majority are Sunni Muslims (mostly Hanafi, with some Alevi/Bektashi affiliations in Turkey). They often maintain syncretic folk beliefs and practices alongside orthodox Islam.
- Traditional Occupations: Historically, the Abdal were itinerant artisans and entertainers. Traditional trades included:
- Metalworking (tinsmithing, blacksmithing).
- Sieving and sieve-making.
- Dentistry and circumcision (traditional medicine).
- Music, poetry (aşık/ozan tradition), fortune-telling, and animal training (bear/dog dancing).
- Social Status: Historically marginalized and stigmatized within the Ottoman and modern Turkish social structures, often facing discrimination similar to other peripatetic groups (e.g., Çingen, Poşa, Geze). In Turkey, they are distinct from the Romani (Çingen) groups, though outsiders frequently conflate them.
- Modern Status: Since the mid-20th century, urbanization and state settlement policies have led to increased sedentarization. Community organizations in Turkey (e.g., Abdal Kültür ve Dayanışma Derneği) advocate for recognition of their distinct ethnic identity, language preservation, and cultural rights.
3. Other Usages
- Tribal Name: "Abdal" appears as a clan or tribal name among various Arab (e.g., Shammar, Anazah), Kurdish, and Turkmen confederations across the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Syria, and Anatolia.
- Given Name/Surname: Abdal (or Abdul) is a common prefix in Arabic theophoric names (e.g., Abd al-Rahman, "Servant of the Most Merciful") and functions as a standalone surname in various cultures.
- Historical Figures: Several historical figures bear the name or title Abdal, such as Abdal Musa (a 14th-century Alevi-Bektashi saint in Anatolia) or Khwaja Abdal (a title for various Sufi masters).
Summary
The term Abdal is polysemic. In Sufi metaphysics, it denotes a fixed, elite group of 40 saints sustaining the cosmic order. In ethnography, it designates a specific Domari-speaking peripatetic community native to Anatolia and the Levant, possessing a distinct language, cultural heritage, and historical occupational profile.
