This article is a product of the efforts for presenting an objective picture of Alevism without relying on any of the different normative discourses about the nature of Alevism and what it is. In this study, we are interested in the questions of how an ordinary Alevi understands Alevism, how he/she interprets it, their religious practices, how often these practices ara applied and how he/she perceives the people who are not Alevis, in a way independent of essentialist expressions of Alevism. The basic point which makes this study different from the other similar studies is its dimension about Damal Festivals. The questionnaires which are the basis of our study were applied in the Damal district, where most of the Alevi population of Ardahan live and that were applied during the festival called "Damal Festivals in the way of Ataturk and under His Shade" which have taken place for 15 years. The fact that these festivals in the center of which there is a reflection on a mountain, similar to Atatuk's face, bring together thousands of Alevis each year and the way how this reflection is perceived by Alevis present us some tips for understanding the relationship between Alevis and Ataturk and the Republic. The issue of how the "Alevi Initiative" which is on the agenda in recent years is perceived by Alevis is another important dimension of the article.