Abaz Hilmi Dede Baba was born in the village of Mërtiaj in Përmet. He spent his childhood, until 17, in the village where he was born. He experienced these years with difficulty, because his father passed away when he was 2 years old. His uncles, who raised him, gave him education and love for God and the country. With family relatives, he often went to the mekam of Mërtinji and Bënja. Every Sunday, on market days, he went to the tekke of Këlcyra, Suka, also, during the week, to the tekke of Përmet and Alipostivan. From conversations and meetings with dervishes and fathers, Abaz learned about the path of the Bektashi faith in the tekke of Dëshnica province. Thus, he educated with the love of God and the enlightened path of Haxhi Bektash Veli. From early on, Dëshnica had tekke and holy places, such as: tekke of Frashër, Përmet, Ali Postivan, Këlcyra, Suka, Kiçok, Bubes; mekams in Tolar, Leskovec, Xhanaj, Mërtinj, Bënj, Mazhan, Vinokash, Kosina, Petra, etc. With this daily spirit, he received the religious culture of respect and love for God. (In the photo: Abaz Hilmi Dede Baba)
Text: Bektashi World Patriarchate
Photo: © Bektashi World Patriarchate
Graphic processing: AHCF
