SEMA CEREMONY (WHIRLING DERVISHES)

The Sema Ceremony lies at the heart of the Mevlevi Order, which was formed around the teachings and spiritual legacy of Mevlana Jalal al-Din Rumi. Also referred to in historical sources as the “Mevlevi Rite” or “Mevlevi Mukabele,” the word mukabele means “encounter” or “face-to-face meeting”—symbolizing the dervishes’ respectful greeting to one another in the presence of the red sheepskin (post) before the ceremony begins. Every gesture, garment, and movement in the Sema is deeply symbolic, drawing from the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions. The whirling dervishes who perform it are not simply performers—they are spiritual seekers who mirror divine inspiration, embodying remembrance (dhikr) through graceful movement. In the Sema, the circular rotation is highly meaningful. The turning dervish represents the human soul returning to its origin in God. As they whirl from right to left—toward the heart—they aim to illuminate both their own inner world and that of their companions with the light of divine remembrance. For centuries, the Sema Ceremony was practiced in Mevlevi lodges (mevlevihanes) throughout the Ottoman world—from Istanbul and Konya to Sarajevo, Cairo, Jerusalem, and beyond. Historical records mention over 120 such lodges, each serving as a center of both spiritual education and musical excellence. Today, the tradition lives on through the Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble, under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Carefully reconstructed in venues such as the restored Mevlevihanes of Galata, Yenikapı, and Kasımpaşa, the Sema Ceremony continues to be performed both in Türkiye and internationally, preserving its authenticity while inviting new generations into its circle of remembrance and beauty.