Your Islamic Hero

Well, the name "Turkmen" was given to us because we became Muslims (Turk+iman). But on the other hand, the term Muslim was too different from the Sunnite understanding. Turkmens were not totally Islamified when they entered Anatolia. They were just the followers of some sufi philosopher Turkmen shamans (in fact the title "baba" refers to shaman, it's still used by alevis and bektashis).

So they were the followers of the teachings of Hoca Ahmed Yesevi, but their beliefs and methods were still dominantly shamanistic. When they entered Iran, Shia sect influenced their believs. That's why the believe in 12 imams, the cult of Hz. Ali and so. But Shia understanding wasnt that much effective on their system until the Safavid period when they imposed Shia propoganda to Anatolian Turkmens.

Alevis were always referred as half shamans, but their belief systems are also influenced with Shia and ancient Anatolian elements. Their Islamification procedure mostly happened in Anatolia as the followers of some babas, so that's why they also have some ancient Anatolian elements...

But about Chepnis, lots of them are still shamanists...