Sama Ayins: Whirling Prayer Ceremonies

The concept of divine love is at the centre of Mevlawi order founded by Rumi. In this order sama has a fascinating dimension involving “whirling by the dervishes”, a ceremony that reaches a crescendo through three stages: knowing God, seeing God and uniting with God.

With a firm belief that “revolution” is all pervading and fundamental to our existence, the ‘whirling dervish’ (semazen) seeks to partake in the Universal movement and resonate with the other beings.

Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Ensemble was established 1991 by the Turkish Republic Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the intention to preserve and promote the 700 years old traditions of Turkish Tasawwuf music and traditional Sama Ayins (Whirling Prayer Ceremonies) in their original form. The presentation by the twenty-member ensemble will include a short music performance followed by the prayer ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes culminating in mystic ecstasy. The performance will include several instruments:ney (reed flute), kudum (small double drum), bendir (big size tambourine without bells), tanbur (long-necked plucked lute), kemenche (bowed lute) and kemancha kanun (box zither).

Courtesy: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey