Sema - The Whirling Dervishs of Konya
The ritual of SEMA, the mystic dance of turning Mevlevi dervishs found its origin in an inspiration of the mystical islamic philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, who lived and taught in 13th century in the city of Konya, Middle Anatolia (Turkey).
Accompanied by the sounds of the flute NEY and other instruments, the whirling dervish is turning around his own axis, the right hand upward to be ready to receice God’s beneficence and the left hand downward to the earth. It symbols the mankind with their connection between heaven and earth.
Read more about Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi
© Photo and text by Jens Helmstedt
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This photo was shown during the open air exhibition “100 fele Iszlam – 100 reflections of Islam” in Pecs, Hungary between May 28 and June 3, 2008. Read more
