Sufi Culture in Istanbul - Konya - Turkey
Known to the west as Whirling Dervishes, the Mevlevi Order was founded by Mevlana Rumi in the 13th century. The Order wrote of tolerance, forgiveness, and enlightenment. They survive today as a cultural brotherhood. They are not theatrical spectacles but sacred rituals. The ritual of the Mevlevi sect, known as the sema, is a serious religious ritual performed by Muslim priests in a prayer trance to Allah. Mevlevi believed that during the sema the soul was released from earthly ties, and able to freely and jubilantly commune with the divine. Dervish literally means "doorway" and is thought to be an entrance from this material world to the spiritual, heavenly world. The Whirling Dervishes played an important part in the evolution of Ottoman high culture.
From the fourteenth to the twentieth century, their impact on classical poetry, calligraphy and visual arts was profound. Rumi and his followers integrated music into their rituals as an article of faith. Rumi emphasized that music uplifts our spirit to realms above, and we hear the tunes of the Gates of Paradise.
The ceremony is in a real monastery in Silivrikapi on Thursdays.
Meeting time is 20:15 in our Art Gallery located in Sultanahmet !
Before the ceremony we can giive you a brief information about the Sufism & the Whirling Dervishes. If you are interested please send us a e-mail for reservation.
Contact Persons : Mr. Alp - Mr. Erhan
The links down below can give you more info about Sufism...
Each week in Istanbul there is a ceremony of the whirling dervishes. If you are interested you may write us...
For the group ceremoy inquiries about our Sufi Dance & Sema group in your countries or in special organisations, please send us an e-mail.
Idea : This tour gives the story of Sufism,Sufis and their communities in Istanbul, Turkey, today.You will meet the Sufi community and their monastery.You will listen to their music.You will eye-witness the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony. This ceremony is presented every week. Alternatively we also arrange weekly tours to Konya in Mevlana Week in every december.
For information concerning the Mevlena Week in Konya, please send us an e-mail. |
( Every Thursdays @ 20:00 )
