Female Whirling Dervishes - Turkey

8 August 2007
Part of the mystical Sufi sect of Islam, the whirling dervishes have fascinated the world for hundreds of years with their unique costumes and frenetic, highly ritualised dances.
Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

[@fusilier]

What a lovely way of worshipping your God through dance & music. Through Joy not Fear.

[@mhuusn1447]

truebluehealer.com

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

Dance and Music is from the devil. There is no worshipping Allah while dancing and with music

[@elenapodlesnic8655]

А вы ошибаетесь! Богу не нужны рабов. Ты отправился на земле нк служить Богу или сатане. Ты пришёл на земле с какой-то задаче, быть добрый, развит духовно, любить, если нравится петь и танцевать и других научить, если ты художник и других этому научить других и тогда это и называется что выполняешь воля Бога что выполнил своё предназначения на земле. А не пришёл на земле только молится богу, кушать и спать.

[@ilolicious69]

I have been twirling like that since I was a kid. I can go for up to an hour, just listening to music and daydreaming. It's a fun exercise and kinda therapeutic for me. I love it

[@yousefghanimeh9817]

i get dizzy and fall if i turned once around my self

[@INTUITIVENORSK2303]

Oh yes, I love it too! I am totally mesmerized by this & i find the entire experience so therapeutic & incredible. From the outfits, to the trance like state. Wow!

[@طابورابوشخاطة]

rotating dervish is abnormal nothing's to do with Islam.. It's nonsense. Only dreaming nothing. Also sufi is really abnormal.

[@mhuusn1447]

@@طابورابوشخاطة Wrong →truebluehealer.com

[@1Frauka]

They teach love not hate, I'm or that.

[@anarchowombat5309]

I agree on that.

[@Merlinreturns]

This is so beautiful. Yes, I was thinking the same thing that there is a feel to it that is like almost like a Buddhist meditation. I think it's important to show this side of Islam as well that shows the deep spirituality inherent in it. Often the side of Islam we see on TV includes those brandishing weapons and screaming for a holy war of some kind. So it is informative to see the many sects of Islam to get the true picture.

[@knowthyself9797]

those are mainstream muslims, the ones dancing here are sufis, mainstream muslims dont like the sufis

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

Yea, this is a different sect But they are wrong and misguided.

[@ersankhan5094]

If anyone is interested in this way, the granson of Mevlana Rumi can be found in Northern Cyprus. Mevlana Shaykh Nazim

[@INTUITIVENORSK2303]

This is very beautiful & so unique. I like it very much & always have. It is a wonderful expression of Islamic belief, culture, tradition within Turkey. I will visit Turkey one day & i will definitely see this in action.

[@spondivitslancaster4456]

Don't go to turkey...go to Georgia or Armenia...those are christian countries and better than turkey!!!

[@mhuusn1447]

truebluehealer.com

[@gee8883]

​@@spondivitslancaster4456bitter B😂

[@anarchowombat5309]

There are dogs of love nobody has heard the names of. I'd give my life to be one of them. - Rumi

[@Honeybee5025]

Skip ahead to 2020 and turkey is now showcasing it's Islamic history, Dervish history, the Haggia Sophia is now a mosque once again. They've even had a handful of series on Netflix about Islam and the Ottoman empire. Historical fiction. It's really quite beautiful and informative.

[@esthaltap9499]

Good way to arrive soul Once...i write a poem to define happiness like I am dancing like a derviche...Sufism is very helpful

[@mhuusn1447]

truebluehealer.com

[@literati21]

The perfect circle is equal

[@Phantasia.Official]

Wrong title: "Female Whirling Dervishes", should be: "Male Whirling Dervishes"

[@vickisnemeth7474]

There are a couple of women in coloured clothes in the group.

[@Phantasia.Official]

Yes, the colored dresses of the Whirling Dervishes are the woman, the white dresses are the man. Still that title isn't correct: It should be "Man & Woman Whirling Dervishes". ;)

[@bigjohn697791]

There is a rule in Ireland that is unspoken Never talk about religion or politics in a Pub. (I think the same could be said on You Tube as the effect is the same with peoples passions)

[@aaollywood-1973]

Thanks🌹IRELAND, but I want to TALK ABOUT IT IN MY🌍ISLAND - so RESPECT THAT TOO!

[@quinbrady]

Even as a commited Atheist I still think that that's a beautiful thought

[@complexlittlepirate3589]

Fascinating and well made report, I love it.

[@anonymoususer8812]

I love it..it's amazing

[@nadia-i1l5h]

God is Love , freedom for all !!!

[@celtislam]

Mashallah x

[@Lookoo84]

THANKS!!!

[@sanjeysanjey1391]

Oh! Nice...love from Bangladesh 💖

[@davidsiff]

This is fabulous how they have documented the private vs public rituals! It makes sense that they would pray with men/women together, if indivuduals truly experience unity with God.

[@pinz2022]

I recall a recent documentary about Sufis in Iran. Filmed in a remote village it showed the menfolk gathering together and dancing by taking off their turbans and whipping their long hair back and forth as they worked themselves into a trance.

[@sadiaahmed861]

Amazing Sufi. MashAllah

[@jacquipeers206]

is the man who is walking around amongst the dancers there to catch any who fall over? This is a serious question.

[@migueluspa]

makes you wonder how many more various types of offerings or types of prayers are out there.

[@exultates]

Amazing from Rio de Janeiro

[@jpbshsu]

Contrary to popular belief, the semazen's goal is not to lose consciousness or to fall into a state of ecstasy. Instead, by revolving in harmony with all things in nature -- with the smallest cells and with the stars in the firmament -- the semazen testifies to the existence and the majesty of the Creator, thinks of Him, gives thanks to Him, and prays to Him. In so doing, the semazen confirms the words of the Qur'an (64:1): Whatever is in the skies or on earth invokes God.

[@TomBrooklyn]

Where can I go to see whirling dirvishes whirl? Where can I see them in or near NYC, NY, USA?

[@greenpath26]

really? do you know what is sufism?

[@numofan]

While that is true, it's also true that in 1925, Ataturk made the Sufi brotherhoods in Turkey disband - including the Mevlevi. They are only supposed to be performing the dance as a folkloric presentation. It seems to be the dhikr (the actual religious ritual) that is forbidden. (Remember, Turkey is a secular state - Ataturk outlawed the wearing of fezzes and veils, he even forbade sacred music on the radio for some years.)

[@xwrathchild09]

It's not illegal in Turkey, ffs. I've noticed that journeymanpictures tend to make a lot of bullshit up. Ruins what would otherwise be a good documentery. Irritating to say the least.

[@michalchik]

They are not really whirling. Just turning. Whirling implies to me turning so fast things are a blurr.

[@BahadurAliShah]

Actually Attaturk has forbidden the Sufi orders and it is true that Sufi gatherings are still forbidden.

[@darkiansmith]

@thekillerose I think we are on the same wavelength. What's 'dangerous' about it? Most Christians are reverent by being silent and still, while some of the more "evangelical" types jump, dance and roll on the floor. I could call those people 'dangerous' but they are just different ways of experiencing the same thing. What' is referred to as the 'Holy Spirit' should not only be encompassed by the worship service, but you are expected to live the life and help take care of others as well.

[@Muslimah1987]

lol. He's so cute. "If the people is vatch me" , "I do thees for the Izlams" - eeheheheheee! xD I love his little demonstration of the narrow and open minded people - so absolutely spot-on. Though WHY the close-minded idiots would even bother showing up, knowing full well whats on show is beyond me but anyway.

[@IbaNewAge]

Allah, Allah, Allahu akbar

[@jacks16390]

@nasimwarwick So why exactly is it blasphemous? Is the dance offensive or something?

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

Music is haram. Claiming this is worship is a straight lie.

[@KatariaGujjar]

How is bowing pertinent to Sufism?

[@kyyah2]

@fairuzi the only thing you are missing is love for your fellow man who were all created by God, as English is not his first language i think that you have to allow for that - as he also says Islams instead of Islam there is only one and there is nothing that is not God - from your human perpective you judge all else as imperfect or wrong - God makes no mistakes so how can this be wrong? - or are you saying that God has erred?

[@rwsmith29456]

Looks to me like a beautiful and expressive form of worship. Almost akin to Buddhist meditation. I can see how the mysticism would not be for everybody, but what are they hurting? Funny how it's legal that they can whirl for tourists but not for their own religion!?!?

[@chineseguera]

@kolraob I Totally agree.....

[@duckmonsterX]

lol yeah. its pretty universal. all over the world its the same. open and closed minds. if the open minds ran the place there would be no wars, just conversations.

[@nukuihanza975]

i saw that kind of thing from one documentary too but it's about the lost tribe of israel...the act was done by some mountain tribe in pakistan..they believe they were descendant of jacob or something.

[@fairuzi]

@kyyah2 well that just bring a misunderstanding to me. hmm... did i mention God makes any mistakes from my previous comment? anyways i didn't try to offend anyone just as a human i may misunderstood :) peace to all!

[@mojave19]

Illegal? I don't think so in Turkey.

[@gypsyscholar2]

Actually, this is correct - technically, it's illegal under Turkey's secular (too secular?) laws, as dervish groups were involved in the resistance to Ataturk. But I think that law is rarely imposed today, indeed 'Whirling Dervish' performances are frequently laid on for the public. Of course, there is a difference between a true sema and a performance for gawking tourists.

[@mojave19]

Oh, ok. Later he says basically that the dance is ok, kind of a touri$t thing, but the sect is illegal. I still don't get it if the government is secular.

[@nazifdaniel]

this is zikir how come they make it illigel

[@JimmyMcCbob]

ALLAH AKB AR

[@paerarru]

Forbidden only on paper is still forbidden.

[@anarchowombat5309]

7:27 What a poor culture/nation that needs to forbid to women what is allowed to men. every nation will sooner or later crumble, but none will fail because they give equal rights to women.

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

Women are inferior to men physically. As for the dancing this isn't allowed to anyone, Man or woman. That being said women and men aren't equals, men are the protectors of women because women are weak.

[@artistdigital]

This is not a sect!! Those who don't understand call Sufism(Tassawaf) a sect!

[@arifahmedkhan9999]

It is a sect of deviants

[@artistdigital]

@@arifahmedkhan9999 Deviants are the British engineered Wahabis who were initially created to destroy the ottoman empire for the creation of Israel but they are even today not coming slow! Read about the saying of Aema Arba RA about Sufism, read about Imam Ghazali! Its not a sect. It is not a zahiri way! Ahle Sunnah wal jamaah has 4 ways of Zahir namely Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Shafi. Even these are not sects. These the schools of Jurisprudence(fiqh). There are 4 major tariqas of Sufism which are a sect of azkar which which great pious people attained a station with Allah. These 4 Tareeqas are called Qadri, Chishti, Nqashbandi and Suhrwardi. They can be followers of any Fiqh. You'd find Qadris from Hanafi fiqh while the grand Sheikh Abdul Qadir jilani RA was himself a Hanbali jurist. It doesnt matter. Ignorant peanut headed Wahhabis are spilling ignorance all over the net!

[@alphaamplitude]

@3choBlast3r True !!! ... dey r causin more conflict between sufi n rest of muslim ... as dey did for shia and sunnis !!! first the iranians now the turks !

[@kolraob]

@memepoolshark I suppose that the real sufis never do that. I think these are professional trading stuff but amateur as sufi.

[@ng3106]

8:23 - 9:08

[@kyyah2]

to all who deride this - there is as much intolerance within islam as there is in christianity - as evidenced here - to pillory someone for loving God in a different way does not serve you why DO you judge others who love God? have you fear? or doubts? what is it about this that threatens you so much that you have to hurt others? there is only one and there is nothing that is not God - God makes no mistakes and loves unconditionally - or are you saying that here God has erred?

[@KaraliRetro]

@cypriot1965 love and tolerance come from the sunna of the last Prophet Muhammed s.a.v :) this is not the sunna from this person .. my frend Allah stw jude the humen and the jins from seria and sunna :).. dont forget this ..

[@metesunshine]

its forbiden only on paper. that guys is not telling the truth.

[@fairuzi]

In the last part of the interview he said something like "the way of the Gods" am i missing something here? In Islam we only believe in ONE God.

[@fayizrawther2091]

This has nothing to do with Islam....Rather these are innovated practices from mysticism that is totally been rejected...

[@Metsada007]

@metesunshine It is officially forbidden, that means that it id forbidden, which is wrong!

[@gizliliman1]

dont take some whirling money takers for real derwishs.

[@3choBlast3r]

Journey man loves to hate Turkey .. Most of it's video's about Turkey are anti Turkish, non of his video's takes the slightest interest in showing the Turkish side of the story. In general the video's he uploads are full of negativity, only one side is shown, many times mistranslated (it almost seems like its done on purpose to make Turks look even worse).

[@nazifdaniel]

i heard 9:36 nur muhammad heheh wahabi consider it heretic

[@Osamabindansker]

its not islam , thats what it is

[@AndryWaseso]

What is Islam?

[@LT0WnWaRi0]

haha freedom of religion? never

[@rdssqor1119]

What kind of a religion is that ? Did God create you to dance and sing ? Did your prophet was sent to dance and sing ? Did God give you the book to keep it in luxury places or in museums or lay the words of God on the wall as a picture ? I am afraid that the example that God state in the Quran about Jews is being done by some Muslims >>>> The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. (62:5)

[@bala4707]

You seem to know everything about everything else, except the whirling! Here, they are trying to escape the physical or gross body and enter the subtle body in the hope of having a glimpse of the causal body. Some succeed! Must be gobbledygook to you :-)

[@3000A.D]

what are you talking about?....???..

[@sachanoob]

Butt hurts! Butt hurts everywhere

[@KaraliRetro]

this is not Islam ..

[@kolraob]

I think sufi performances for tourist must be forbiden.

[@OKREDHOT]

this is not islam, it's a turkish deviance of islam estagfirullah

[@metesunshine]

its forbiden only on paper. that guys is not telling the truth.

[@yousefghanimeh9817]

maybe it's before islamic parties came to power