Whirling Dervishes - Konya

While the Whirling Dervishes perform year round, the week leading up to the death of poet Mevlana Rumi is considered to be the most sacred occasion for the religious Sufi order. On December 17th, thousands from all over the world gather in the city of Konya to participate in one of the numerous small Sema ceramonies, see the Dervishes perform, and stand at the grave of Rumi at the time of his death. The Dervishes, also known as the Mevlevi order, are Sufis, which is a spiritual offshoot of Islam founded in the 13th century. In long flowing robes, they whirl around and begin to experience a spiritual journey toward perfect love. Their belief is that with each turn they move toward truth and begin to abandon the human ego, grow in love, and finally, reach a place of maturity so that they can be of service to all mankind. Witnessing this sacred dance is not only a beautiful site, it's a fascinating opportunity to learn about this mystic religion through the traditions of its devout followers.