cultureistanbul: Sema Dance

The Sema dance is a mystical ritual rooted in the Sufi tradition of Turkiye, performed by the whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order, often referred to as “whirling dervishes.” This dance is more than just a physical performance; it is based on spiritual teachings and deep meditation, symbolizing the soul’s beautiful journey towards unity with the Divine. The whirling motion of the dancers evokes a sense of wonder, as if witnessing the movement of the universe, drawing spectators into a captivating world of mystery and spirituality.

Key Elements and Significance:

Costume: The dancers wear a white gown (tennure), a black cloak (hirka), and a tall hat (sikke). The white gown represents the purity of the soul, the black cloak symbolizes the weight of worldly life, and the hat stands for a tombstone. As the dance begins, the dancers remove the cloak, symbolizing the shedding of worldly attachments as they move closer to God.

Dance Movements: The dancers extend their right hand toward the sky and their left hand toward the earth, symbolizing the flow of divine grace from God to humanity and through them to the earth. They spin in a clockwise direction, representing the rotation of the universe and the spiritual journey of the soul.

Music and Poetry: The Sema dance is accompanied by Sufi music and poetry, often inspired by the works of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. The music has a meditative rhythm, helping the dancers enter a deep state of reflection and spiritual connection.

Spiritual Significance: Sema is not just a dance but part of a Sufi ritual that seeks spiritual maturity and divine love. It symbolizes transcending the ego and uniting with divinity, often leaving a profound impact on both the performers and the audience.

The Sema dance is traditionally performed at the Mevlana (Jalaluddin Rumi) festival in Konya and is now recognized worldwide as an artistic expression of Sufism. You can experience the Sema performance daily at 7 PM at Hodjapasha, located in Sirkeci, Istanbul. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Link: https://www.hodjapasha.com/en/online-ticket-sale-2/

Rumi’s Seven Teachings:

1. When you give or help others, do so like flowing water.
2. Show compassion and tolerance like the sun.
3. When covering the faults of others, be like the night.
4. Keep anger and resentment as if they were dead.
5. Be humble and modest like the earth.
6. Be generous like the sea.
7. See things as they are, or act as you see.