16-11-2022 -
Things to Do in Cappadocia
Whirling Dervishes Sema Ceremony in Cappadocia
The term "sema" has Arabic roots. It can mean two things. The sky is one, and listening is another. It eventually came to be known as one of the dhikr rituals the Sufis, who practiced Sufism, did by rotating themselves around to the accompaniment of poetry and hymns. Sufis hold that one should live in accordance with these discovered truths since they may be heard in the sky.
The sema, which was invented and evolved with Hz.Mevlana (1207-1273) as an inspiration, is regarded as the greatest spiritual dance in the world. Mevlana was also taught this by Shams-i Tabriz. When examined closely, it turns out to be the Mevlevi dervishes' dhikr rite.It can be summed up as the ceremony they do by spreading their arms to both sides, turning their right palm to the sky, and their left palm to the soil, taking them from God and giving them to the people, accompanied by instruments such as the ney. Here, music is a tool utilized to aid with meditation.
Mevlana in Cappadocia
After Mevlana, the Sufi belief becomes a sect known as Mevlevi, and sema, which is believed to have been performed by Mevlana in the 13th century, becomes ceremonial in and of itself. The rituals of which have been practiced for generations, are being performed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Sufis are not the only ones who practice this rite of self-reversal. It has roots in shamanic, and it is known that many ancient civilizations thought that rotating around strengthened their trance.
The idea that the act of "turning" is the source of existence forms the core of the sema philosophy for the Sufis. It portrays the human propeller with "love" as well as electrons, protons, the blood in our veins, the earth, stars, and other planets. It is a simulation of sorts of how man will eventually emerge from and return to the earth. It symbolizes a person's turning to the truth, leaving his soul with love, maturing in Allah's way, and turning back into a servant.
Dervishes in Cappadocia
If you are having trouble deciding things to do in Cappadocia, you may have a very different experience if you choose to witness the wonderful Mevlevi rite, which was established under the direction of Mevlana, one of the most well-known figures in Turkish cultural history, amid the enchanted setting of Cappadocia. Mevlana's message of love, which includes all people, is warm and inviting.
Under the direction of the whirling dervish, expert whirling dervishes and Mevlevi musicians conduct the whirling dervish show. The sema show gives a memorable and one-of-a-kind experience for you, transporting you on an enigmatic journey into the past with its dance and costumes that have profound symbolic connotations. One whirling dervish, five other whirling dervishes, and five musicians perform the whirling dervishes. A 10-minute slide exhibition describing the creation of the Fairy Chimneys and Cappadocia is included at the end of the 50-minute sema show. A pamphlet in many languages is provided to the attendees at the entrance in order to aid in the intelligibility of the performances.
An Unforgettable Experience: Whirling Dervishes Sema Ceremony
The Sema ceremony, also known as the Whirling Dervishes ceremony is a ceremonial activity that the followers of Sufism practice widely. It symbolizes the man’s journey towards reaching the higher creator and then returning as a man who has grown to achieve perfection. This allows him to be of service to all creatures and accept everything and every one no matter what their religion, race, age, gender, or social status is.
The dervishes wear white apparel under a black coat and a hat that symbolizes the tombstone. It is because the Dervish is expected to forget his ego and attain spiritual maturity. With each step of the Sema ceremony, the Dervish becomes one step closer to the creator and with his movements like arms, hands, and feet, one can easily observe this. He moves clockwise rotating around the center. Each minute of this ceremony is sure to bring you calm and serenity. The ceremony lasts for an hour and after it ends you may catch a light show in Cappadocia.
This amazing experience and many more are FREE with Cappadocia Travel Pass®. To have an unforgettable spiritual experience, don't miss this activity.
Latest Posts
08-09-2022
Why Should You Visit Cappadocia? Updated for 2023
Have you ever wondered where all those lovely photographs of a valley seen from a hot air balloon originate from? Cappadocia, tucked right in the heart of Turkey's Anatolia region, is one of the country's tourism centers, despite its tiny size. And w...
25-10-2022
Cappadocia: Hot Air Balloon Flight Guide 2023
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to fly? To float among the birds in the sky and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the gorgeous surroundings around you? Hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey provide just that and more – all the while delivering an...
26-10-2022
Underground Cities of Cappadocia
The ancient underground cities of Cappadocia may strike the interest of even the most claustrophobic person! Every year tens of thousands of tourists around the world visit Cappadocia to discover these mysterious caves and learn about their history. ...
27-10-2022
How far is Cappadocia from Istanbul?
The distance between Cappadocia and Istanbul is around 730 km (454 miles). This may seem like a lot but think about all the adventures you will experience once you arrive! Furthermore, there are many ways to get there and you will surely find one tha...
01-11-2022
Top Things to Do in Cappadocia
Wondering about things to do in Cappadocia? Trying to arrange your trip but there are many question marks. Cappadocia Travel Pass® provides over 25 attractions, with just one pass – so book yours NOW! Here is a list of the main must-do activities but...
07-11-2022
The Top 20 Amazing Cave Hotels in Cappadocia
Looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind place to stay in Cappadocia? Why not try a cave hotel? There are plenty of incredible cave hotels in Cappadocia that maintain the region’s history while providing a uniquely modern experience.&n...
10-11-2022
Everything About Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley, which can be mistakenly written as Ilhara Valley, is a canyon with a depth of around 120 meters and was created by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. To enjoy this amazing natural beauty, Cappadocia Travel Pass offers yo...
16-11-2022
The Top 18 Reasons to Visit Cappadocia
There are many reasons to visit Cappadocia, from its amazing natural beauty to the warm and welcoming natives. Here, you can find 18 reasons to visit Cappadocia! Planning your Cappadocia trip can be exhausting since you may see many different ...
16-11-2022
Cappadocia From İstanbul
Istanbul is Turkey’s most crowded city and it has many cultural values because of the historical background of the region. Tourists mostly prefer to start their Turkey journey from İstanbul because of these facts. The distance between Istanbul and C...
16-11-2022
Whirling Dervishes Sema Ceremony in Cappadocia
The term "sema" has Arabic roots. It can mean two things. The sky is one, and listening is another. It eventually came to be known as one of the dhikr rituals the Sufis, who practiced Sufism, did by rotating themselves around to the accompaniment of ...
4.8 out of 5 stars
Cappadocia Travel Pass has an average rating of 4.8 /5 from 903 reviews
Read all traveler reviews →
