Abbas Ali Türbe

The Abbas ibn Ali Türbe (Albanian: Tyrbja e Abaz Aliut) is a Bektashi türbe (Albanian: tyrbe "shrine", or mekam, "holy tomb") is a Bektashi shrine traditionally considered to be the resting place of Abbas ibn Ali (647–680), a son of Ali. It is situated on the southern peak of Mount Tomorr in Berat, south-central Albania. A large annual pilgrimage is currently held every year from 20-25 August.

Abbas Ali Türbe
Abbas Ali Türbe at the top of the southern peak of Tomorr
Religion
AffiliationIslam
RiteBektashi Order
Year consecrated1620
Location
LocationMount Tomorr
MunicipalityBerat
CountryAlbania
Abbas Ali Türbe is located in Albania
Abbas Ali Türbe
Shown within Albania
Geographic coordinates40°38′11″N 20°09′45″E
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The shrine, originally constructed in 1620, is included in the List of Religious Cultural Monuments of Albania.[1]

Bektashi traditions

According to the traditions of the Bektashi Order, a Sufi community based primarily in Albania, Abbas ibn Ali (Albanian: Abaz Aliu) went to Albania on a white horse to save it from the barbarians. Today, he continues to return to Mount Tomorr in Albania for five days (August 20–25) each year, during which animal sacrifices are made and homage is paid to Abbas ibn Ali. During these five days, Bektashi pilgrims visit the türbe, which is believed to house the remains of Abbas ibn Ali. The mausoleum lies adjacent to the Bektashi tekke on Mount Tomorr, which was built in 1916.[2]

In another Bektashi legend, Haji Bektash once saw Christian pilgrims ascend Mount Tomorr on August 15, the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. He responded by making a journey to the grave of Abbas ibn Ali in the holy city of Karbala, where he dug up an arm bone belonging to Abbas ibn Ali. Haji Bektash then threw the arm bone up onto the peak of Mount Tomorr, thus turning the mountain into the second sacred grave (türbe) of Abbas ibn Ali.[2]

In Albanian literature

Naim Frashëri wrote in a poem in his 1890 poetry book Luletë e verësë ("Summer Flowers"):[2][3]

Original Albanian text

Abas Aliu zu’ Tomorë,
Erdhi afër nesh,
Shqipëria s’mbet e gjorë,
Se Zoti e desh.

English translation

Abbas Ali took over Tomorr,
He came to live with us,
Albania was no longer afflicted
For God came to love it.

  • Türbe of Abbas ibn Ali on Mount Tomorr
    Türbe of Abbas ibn Ali on Mount Tomorr
  • Türbe of Abbas ibn Ali on Mount Tomorr
    Türbe of Abbas ibn Ali on Mount Tomorr
  • Pilgrimage scene on 23 August 2014
    Pilgrimage scene on 23 August 2014

In Albania, there are several other sites with handprints and footprints attributed to Abbas ibn Ali.[4]

  • The handprint of Abbas Ali, in Burgullas, Skrapar
  • The footprint of Abbas Ali, in Novaj, Skrapar
  • The footprint of Abbas Ali, in Kajcë, near Prisht, Skrapar
  • The footprint of Abbas Ali, in Rodhes, Skrapar
  • The footprint of Abbas Ali, in Taronin, Çepan

See also

References
  1. Lista e Monumenteve: Rrethi i Beratit (PDF) (in Albanian). Instituti i Monumenteve të Kulturës - Ministria e Kulturës. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  2. Elsie, Robert (2019). The Albanian Bektashi: history and culture of a Dervish order in the Balkans. London: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-78831-569-2. OCLC 1108619669.
  3. Frashëri, Naim. Luletë e Verës. Bucharest: Dituri, 1890.
  4. The Tomorr Mountain and the footprint of Abbas Ali. World Headquarters of the Bektashi. Accessed 19 September 2021.
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