Oct
26
2012
Oct
29
2012
Whirling Dervishes Festival in Konya, Turkey
The Experience
The Whirling Dervishes Festival is one of the world's most intriguing sights, a mesmerizing spectacle of twirling delight. Become entranced at the origins of the Whirling Dervishes in Konya, Turkey, home to Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi, a revered 13th-century scholar. Rumi preached of love, tolerance, and forgiveness, and as a way of connecting with God would whirl in the city streets in joy. Every December on the anniversary of Rumi’s death known as Seb-i Aruz, thousands of pilgrims flood Konya to witness the ritualized whirling at his Mausoleum.
The ceremony known as Sema, takes place in the evening through an intricate tradition of mystical dances. It is divided into seven parts and includes four distinct musical movements, or selams. The eerie sounds floating from the reed flute provide an almost haunting musical accompaniment. Though not whirling yourself, simply watching the unrelenting dervishes detaches you from yourself and the physical world, precisely the purpose of the ritual. Although some significance may be lost on many who get a chance to take in this experience, the mesmerizing music, nimble feet in perfect step, and reverent expressions promise to evoke a great new sense of appreciation.
The ceremony known as Sema, takes place in the evening through an intricate tradition of mystical dances. It is divided into seven parts and includes four distinct musical movements, or selams. The eerie sounds floating from the reed flute provide an almost haunting musical accompaniment. Though not whirling yourself, simply watching the unrelenting dervishes detaches you from yourself and the physical world, precisely the purpose of the ritual. Although some significance may be lost on many who get a chance to take in this experience, the mesmerizing music, nimble feet in perfect step, and reverent expressions promise to evoke a great new sense of appreciation.
When to Go to Whirling Dervish
Dependent on the Islamic religious calendar the Whirling Dervishes Festival is typically held in November or December during Kurban Bayrani. This is a chilly time of year in Konya with temperatures of 46F to 50F and periodic rain. The city shuts down for Kurban Bayrani, typically more so on the fist and last days of the celebration so be sure to have cash on hand. Located just three hours south of Anakara, and ten hours from Istanbul, Konya has several bus services and tickets can be bought same-day. Flights, hotels, and transport for the Whirling Dervishes Festival however, are guaranteed to be booked far in advance. Your best bet is to join a guided tour which may also take you to Istanbul, Cappadocia, or Ankara, and include pre-booked rooms and tickets to the event.
Odds n' Ends
In accordance with the Sufi principle of tolerance, Muslims and non-Muslims alike are welcome at the Whirling Dervishes Festival. Women will need to bring a headscarf to wear once inside and will be seated apart from the men during the ceremony. The Whirling Dervishes are also on view in Istanbul every week throughout the year in abbreviated form.
Without a travel guide, Turkey can be dauntingly monolingual, though most people you encounter will speak some English and German.
Without a travel guide, Turkey can be dauntingly monolingual, though most people you encounter will speak some English and German.
Want a Guide?
- Constantinople and Konya Rumi Tour - argeus.com.tr
- A nine-day guided tour that includes the Konya sema.
- Rumi Konya Tour - argeus.com.tr
- A guided tour that includes the Konya sema during Seb-i Aruz.
- Turkey Explorer - GAPAdventures.com
- Spend 15 glorious days discovering the treasures, ruins and beaches of Turkey—in style! See surreal landscapes in Cappadocia and Pamukkale, feel the deep spirituality of the Whirling Dervishes and the Haghia Sophia, and explore the incredible ruins in Ephesus.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Hotels in Konya, Turkey - turkeytravelplanner.com
- Konya does not have as many good hotels as it should; here are a few.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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Books and DVDs
- Tales Of The Dervishes (Paperback)
- Idries Shah presents a selection of stories from hundreds of years worth of Sufi literature and tradition
- Spiritual Music of the Sufi and the Whirling Dervishes
- Turkey Travel Guide - LonelyPlanet.com
- Turkey is as perfect for bon vivants as it is for adventurers and scholars. Roam battlegrounds and the palaces of great empires, unwind in a hammam, float in a balloon over Cappodocia's fairy chimneys and explore the streets of atmospheric Istanbul.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Symbols in the Sema Ritual - mekder.org
- A detailed description of the many symbols in the whirling ritual.
- A Blog by Mark: Konya, Turkey - markmacloskey.blogspot.com
- One man's personal account of his travels around Konya, Turkey, with an extensive background of Rumi.
- Mevlevi Cultural Center - www.mkm.gov.tr
- A mostly bilingual Web site of the sema hall in Konya, Turkey.
- Scenes From Turkey: Whirling Dervishes - Shiva.net
- Whirling is one of the tools used by Sufis (Islamic mystics) to come closer to Allah, but it's not the only one.
Media References
- A Flourishing Of Whirling Dervishes - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- A GLIMPSE of the whirling dervishes of Turkey was virtually obligatory for generations of Western travelers making the Grand Tour of the Orient. Indeed, few sensations better epitomized the romantic appeal of the East than the enigmatic ritual of the dervishes, whose name means ''those who have chosen the road of suffering.
- Where to watch the Whirling Dervishes - TimesOnlineUK.co.uk (newspaper)
- The Dervishes have been whirling since the 13th Century - to attain a higher unoin with God.
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Language Guides
Turkish 
is one of the languages spoken in Turkey. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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