From Memory Wars to Appropriated Martyrdom: Madımak Massacre Case

The notion that political power constitutes and structures what it rules is widely known and debated theme in political theory. Despite this fact, the oppressive character of the political power is more often emphasized than its constitutive power. The attitude of political power toward Madımak Massacre Commemoration is often intrepreted as attempting to make people forget and ignore the massacre; this is often given as an example of oppressive character of political power in Turkey. However, after the massacre such interventions like converting the hotel into the science and cultural center are related to the restructuring the ways of remembering rather than making forget the massacre, that is about restructuring and mobilizing Alevi memory in different ways. This cannot be grasped by reference to the oppressive character of the power but should be understood through the constitutive character of power. Unless the constitutive character of power is considered, emerging phenomenons regarding the massacre will stay out of focus; One of these newly emerging phenomenon is the concept of martrydom that tries to find a modern place for itself within Alewite worldview and its appropriation and acceptance by Madımak martrys’ families.