[August 2012] In Cappadocia in Turkey, we went to see the ceremony of the whirling dervish.
They were showing it to tourists in an ex-caravanserai.
Though it was for tourists, it was very serious and according to the leaflet, the dervishes were going back to their cells after the ceremony to meditate.
Altogether, there were 9 people, 4 were instruments players, 4 whirled, and the one was like a conductor.
Started with reading the sutra, a bit melodic version, and then performance of the flute, which sounded like Japanese bamboo one.
After that, other string instruments joined and the whirling started.
It is a shame that we were not allowed to take photos.
It was very beautiful sight with the circular white dresses spread nicely.
The raised their arms, with right the palm up and the left down and tilt their heads a bit to the right and whirl anticlockwise.
It is a solemn ceremony and some of my tour group started snoring, but for me it was very interesting.
