Mevlevi Sema Ceremony

Mevlevi Sema Ceremony

Mevlevi Sema ceremony is a Sufi ceremony performed by the followers of the Mevlevi Order, a Sufi order that was founded in 1273 in Konya, and gradually spread from it throughout the Ottoman Empire. The Mevlevi Order is famous for its whirling dances which begins with a recitation of the Qur’an, then the dervishes begin to spin quickly to the rhythms of religious chanting without touching their robes.
Today, many Mevlevi celebrations are no longer performed in their traditional context but have become for tourist purposes where they have been shortened and simplified to meet commercial requirements.
Mevlevi Sema Ceremony was inscribed in 2008 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Turkey.
by Kemal.kubbe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by myself, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
by Irfantraveller, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mevlevi Sema Ceremony

Date of Inscription

2008

See also in Turkey

Spring Celebration, Hıdrellez Nawrouz Arts of the Meddah, Public Storytellers Karagöz Âşıklık (Minstrelsy) Tradition Traditional Sohbet Meetings Semah, Alevi-Bektaşi Ritual Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival Ceremonial Keşkek Tradition Mesir Macunu Festival Traditional Craftsmanship of Çini-Making Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition Ebru, Turkish Art of Marbling Whistled Language Traditional Turkish Archery Hüsn-i Hat, Traditional Calligraphy in Islamic Art in Turkey Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, Epic Culture, Folk Tales and Music Traditional Intelligence and Strategy Game: Togyzqumalaq, Toguz Korgool, Mangala/Göçürme Art of Miniature Flatbread Making and Sharing Culture: Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka, Yufka Traditional Ahlat Stonework Sericulture and Traditional Production of Silk for Weaving Telling Tradition of Nasreddin Hodja/ Molla Nesreddin/ Molla Ependi/ Apendi/ Afendi Kozhanasyr Anecdotes Culture of Çay (tea), a Symbol of Identity, Hospitality and Social Interaction Traditional Knowledge, Methods and Practices Concerning Olive Cultivation Art of illumination: Təzhib/Tazhib/Zarhalkori/Tezhip/Naqqoshlik Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey Craftsmanship of Mother of Pearl Inlay Iftar/Eftari/Iftar/Iftor and its Socio-Cultural Traditions

Related Links

UNESCO Lists World Heitage Sites in Turkey Tentative Lists in Turkey Archaelogical Sites in Turkey