Myths and MusicMevlevi Dervishes

Vesa Matteo PiluduHelsinki

Department of Comparative Religion

University of Helsinki

Performative model of the whirling dervishes

As in the Afro-American Religions

The musicians aren’t in trance

The dancers are entranced

CD: Trance 1, track 1

CD: Music and Trance 1, track 1

Whirling Dervish - Mevlevi Sema Ceremony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKEItegftb8

Naqshbandi Whirling Dervishes of Indonesia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqKwrusqbTc&feature=related

Ney (reed flute)

Oud (lute)

tanbur (fretted string instrument)

Bendir (frame drum)

Dances

The tunic are extended by centrifugal forcesThe tilt of the head is accentuated by the tall hatRelaxed arm are extended sideways

Living representation of Lam-Alif

Letters of the Arabic epigram

La Ilaha Illa-Allah ”There is no God – But

God”

Sheik

When the sheik enters the dance, his dervishes orbit around him like planets

Poet Jellaeddin Rumi

If you split an atom you will find in it

One Sun

And some planet will revolve

Jellaeddin Rumi

Closest to god

In whirling … the outer world dissolves into bands of colors, space is obliterated and time reversed.

This has been called the path of return

Whirling, we move against the flow of the time

Directly experiencing our origins

Coming to our innermost centre where we are closest to god

Mystical goal

Seeking mystic union and experience the dissolution of the self in the divine essence

Poet Jalalludin Rumithe mystical love

Reason is powerless in the expression of Love

Die in Love if you want to remain alive