Who the whirling dervishes are
The “whirling dervishes” are members of the Mevlevi order, a Sufi brotherhood that grew up around the followers of Jalal al-Din Rumi after his death in 1273. “Dervish” is a Persian-derived word for a Sufi who has taken a path of poverty and devotion. The turning ritual they are famous for is called the Sema (also spelled sama), meaning “listening.” For the poet behind the order, see Rumi’s mystical teachings. For the wider Islamic tradition, see Sufism and esoteric Islam.
The Sema ceremony
The Mevlevi Sema is a structured ritual, not a free dance. Descriptions of the traditional form usually include:
- A recited prayer of praise and a drum beat.
- Instrumental music, often with the ney (reed flute), whose voice is linked to Rumi’s image of the reed longing for its source.
- A procession in which the dervishes walk around the hall.
- Several rounds of turning, called selams, led by the sheikh.
- Recitation from the Quran and closing prayers.
The ceremony is understood as an act of worship and remembrance of God, similar in purpose to other Sufi practices such as dhikr, expressed here through music and movement.
What the costume represents
The traditional clothing is usually explained symbolically:
- The white skirt (tennure) is said to represent a shroud for the ego.
- The black cloak is removed before turning and stands for the grave, or the worldly self, left behind.
- The tall felt hat (sikke) is often said to symbolize a tombstone for the ego.
These explanations are traditional interpretations that may vary by source.
What the turning represents
Common explanations include the following:
- The dervish turns to the right, with the right hand raised to receive and the left lowered to pass on what is received, as a channel for divine grace.
- The movement mirrors the revolution of planets around the sun, or the whole of creation in remembrance of God.
- The turning symbolizes love and the soul’s ascent toward union, as in the broader pattern of mystical journeys such as the three stages of the mystical path, although the Mevlevi describe their own stages.
Is it a trance?
Mevlevi tradition emphasizes awareness and discipline. The ritual is performed with composure and under the guidance of a teacher, and practitioners train for a long time. Many outside observers describe it as meditative. Descriptions of it as a wild or intoxicated state do not reflect the order’s own account; see also whether Sufis drink alcohol for the role of metaphor.
Religious practice and performance today
The Mevlevi order was banned in Turkey in 1925, along with other Sufi lodges, and later ceremonies were permitted in a cultural context. UNESCO has recognized the Mevlevi Sema ceremony as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. Today there are performances for visitors, especially in Konya and Istanbul, as well as ceremonies held for worship. People attending as guests are generally asked to treat the ceremony with respect, as a religious ritual rather than entertainment. For similar practices across traditions, see mystical practices.