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People > Photos > Gallery: Sally E > Album: Inland Anatolia > Konya. Whirling Dervishes
Konya. Whirling Dervishes

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Date: 09/21/02

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arm arms ear hats heaven palm red tall

Celaleddin Rumi, known as Mevlana by his followers (Our Guide) was founder of a sect of whirling dervishes. Mevlana 1207-1273. The way of the Mevlevis spread throughout Anatolia, Syria and Egypt. The dance represents union with God. The robes represent shrouds and the tall conical red hats their tombstones, as they relinquish their earthly life to be reborn in mystical union with God. They pass before the leader with their arms crossed. The Leader whispers in their ear and each dervish then slowly passes, unfurling his arms and commencing the dance. He holds his right arm upward, palm up, to receive blessings of heaven and left downward to communicate them to Earth. Pivoting on the left heel, he whirls faster reaching an ecstatic state. He then drops and kneels to the floor. This is repeated 3 times. The most striking sound is the ney, a type of reed flute. Rui's teachings were ecumenical, stressing the universality of God and welcoming any worshipper of whatever sect or following. Non-Moslems were regularly invited to witness the sema (ceremony). 15 Dec 1990