Whirling Dervish Ceremony

This special ceremony in a unique environment reveals the spiritual character of Istanbul and Turkish people outside of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. * A poetic experience, Sufi whirling brings dervishes closer to God as they spin in repetitive circles. The original name Sema has two meanings, the skies and hearing. The dervishes are raising their hands while whirling to feel the universe, its creation and motion. This is the way to reach maturity as a human being in an ecstatic moment full of love. * Concerning the performance at the ceremony, classic sufi music is essential, so its fitting that the ceremony takes place in the home of a composer of Ottoman classical music, Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi (9 January 1778 – 29 November 1846). It sets the stage as the whirling dervishes come forward to lift the curtain between the body and soul, their dress lifting hypnotically serving as a meaningful metaphor.