Turkey Witnessing The Whirling Dervishes In Istanbul

Who might have idea that a non secular Islamic ritual turns into a touristic spectacle?

The whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order below the branch of The vicinity of the museum on the map: in Islam has opened its Sema rite to the public. Visitors can witness the whole ritual which incorporates chanting, prayer, music and dancing—whirling in this situation hence their call. Visitors should no longer forget that this is not just a performance nor a cultural occasion however a religious rite.

There are some places to peer the whirling dervishes in Istanbul but I heard that the nice region to witness them is on the Mevlevi Whirling Dervish hall at the Galata Mevlevi Museum. The Sema ceremony takes area as soon as per week, on Sunday at 17:00. Tickets can simplest be sold on vicinity. Because the occasion may be very famous a number of the vacationers and that there's a maximum capability, it is regularly offered out.

Well, I nearly didn’t make it to the Sema ceremony!

It became fully booked once I arrived. But for some motive the person at the gate pitied us—moi and an Italian couple and he stated we are able to go in now if we pay the man in the back of the window cashier. We quickly pulled out our money from our wallet and paid, after which we have been ushered in the building slowly. We were advised to keep quiet due to the fact the Sema rite has simply started.

I became so stoked for having made it in!!! =)

The entire 1-hour ritual become quite a surreal experience. The whirling dervishes had been whirling, twirling and spinning non-forestall. They all appeared so poised and regal but they were dancing as if they were in trance. Hypnotised in prayer and with their relationship with god - allah. I did surprise if they ever get dizzy with the turning. Has someone ever ignored a step? Hit each other with their whirling skirts? Those skirts are heavy I am positive. Fallen down perhaps to the floor or got here crashing towards one of the pillars within the hall?

Whilst watching them spin, I observed that they have a system in vicinity within the manner they turn and location their foot down, as well as the timing when the skirts are lifted up. Indeed, these whirling dervishes are in reality no amateurs.

I have examine somewhere that the whirling dance is a manner of supplying themselves to god. And I can see that genuinely within the faces of the men. They regarded very content and peaceful. Abandoned.

As I took photos of the ceremony or even managed to shoot a quick video, my eyes wandered off to the beautiful indoors of the corridor. The pillars, the layout and the golden details. Ah, European western art have an effect on has combined properly with jap Arabic calligraphy. I realised that this is a museum in any case.

Will I advocate the Sema ceremony – whirling dervishes performance? Yes surely, in case you are a curious way of life vulture like me =)

Here are a few studying for you if you are fascinated The vicinity of the museum on the map:It is located in Galata, Beyoglu... Very close to to Tunel on the end of Istiklal road on Galip Dede Caddesi. It is the principle pedestrian avenue of Galata where you enter from Istiklal to the Galata neighbourhood.The vicinity of the museum on the map:

It is located in Galata, Beyoglu... Very close to to Tunel on the end of Istiklal road on Galip Dede Caddesi. It is the principle pedestrian avenue of Galata where you enter from Istiklal to the Galata neighbourhood.

They stroll around...

The ritual has started...

They stroll around...

Afterwhich they line up, took off their cloaks and location their arms crossed on their chests.

Then the whirling dancing begins, one whirling dervish after the opposite...

Here is a totally quick video I made:

Advice to visitors at some stage in the whole performance:

Do not stroll around

Do now not alternate seats

• Do not stroll around
• Do now not use flash photography
• Turn off your telephones or mute it
• It is a religious rite so be nonetheless and pay your respects!
• Then they take a damage and do the formation once more.
• And then the dancing starts offevolved once more, they slowly lift their crossed fingers on their chest up excessive and twirl, whirling their skirts and spinning around.

These are travelers waiting to get in the museum. They needed to wait as we were inside witnessing the Sema rite.

Interior details of the whirling dervishes corridor. Arabic text or calligraphy blends with European inspired art (which appeared very similar to Rococo).

These are travelers waiting to get in the museum. They needed to wait as we were inside witnessing the Sema rite.

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Destination: Galata, Beyoglu (Istanbul – Marmara), Turkey

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