Did Rumi invent whirling dervish?
Whirling dervish ceremonies were started as a form of meditation by Jalaluddin Rumi, the famous Sufi Muslim mystic and poet, in the 13th century. The Persia-born Rumi — who was living in Konya, then the capital of the Turkish Seljuk Empire — told his followers, “There are many roads which lead to God.
What is Mevlana Festival?
Mevlana, Festival of Sometimes referred to as the “Order of the Whirling Dervishes” for the prominent role that ritual dance plays in their weekly observance of sama (congregational music), the sect was founded in the 13th century by Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, one of Turkey’s greatest poets and mystics.
What is the whirling dervish ceremony?
The Mevlevis are also known as the “whirling dervishes” due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God). Dervish is a common term for an initiate of the Sufi path; whirling is part of the formal sema ceremony and the participants are properly known as semazens.
Why is Mevlana important?
Mevlana Celaddiin-i Rumi is a 13th century Muslim saint and Anatolian mystic known throughout the world for his exquisite poems and words of wisdom, which have been translated into many languages. Rumi, as he is known in the west, is the best selling poet in USA.
What is Mevlana in English?
Mawlānā (مولانا) is a term of Arabic origin, meaning “our master”. The term مولوی Mawlawī/Mowlavi (Persian) and Mevlevi (Turkish), also of Arabic origin, meaning “my master”, is also frequently used for him.
What is the logic of the whirling dervishes?
The Order was based on teaching forgiveness, tolerance, and enlightenment. The members survive today as a cultural brotherhood. Although the whirling ritual, called sema, may appear at first glance like a theatrical performance, they actually represent a sacred Muslim religious ritual performed as a part of praying.
What religion are whirling dervishes?
Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, emphasizes universal love, peace, acceptance of various spiritual paths and a mystical union with the divine. It is associated with the dancing of whirling dervishes, who originated in the 13th century as followers of the poet and Muslim mystic, Rumi.