Turkey - Mystery of Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul
It’s one of the most mysterious and mystical sects in the Islamic world – the famous Whirling Dervishes of Turkey. 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. The rituals of the Rumi's followers (Whirling Dervishes) are among the enduring as well as the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality. The ritual whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and a drama of faith. It possesses a highly structured form within which the gentle turns become increasingly dynamic as the individual dervishes strive to achieve a state of trans. The music that accompanies the whirling from beginning to end ranges from somber to rhapsodical; its effect is intended to be mesmerizing. Chanting of poetry, rhythmic rotation, and incessant music create a synthesis which, according to the faithful, induces a feeling of soaring, of ecstasy, of mystical flight.
The Sema ceremony represents a spiritual journey; the seeker's turning toward God and truth, a maturing through love, the transformation of self as a way of union with God, and the return to life as the servant of all creation. The Semazen (with a camel's-felt hat representing a tombstone and a wide white skirt symbolizing the death shroud), upon removing his black cloth, is spiritually born to Truth. The semazens stand with their arms crossed, ready to begin their turn. In their erect posture, they represent the number one, testifying to God's unity. Each rotation takes them past the sheikh, who stands on a red sheep skin. This is the place of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi , and the sheikh is understood to be a channel for the divine grace. At the start of each of the four movements of the ceremony, the semazens bow to each other honoring the spirit within. As their arms unfold, the right hand opens to the skies in prayer, ready to receive God's beneficence. The left hand, upon which his gaze rests, is turned towards the earth in the gesture of bestowal.
I could call this photo “Stolen Image” not because it was not taken by me, but because I was not allowed to take it but I did anyway. Although it was my 5th or 6th visit to Turkey I have never seen Whirling Dervishes before. I thought it would nice addition to my Turkish portfolio as well just beautiful experience. There are few locations in Istanbul where you can witness this special event. I have opted for rather small location in the formal hamman (bath) which gave it great traditional feel. I was told that if I come early enough I can chose seat infront so I would be able to capture the show. Bigger the surprise that not only my seat was in the 2nd row but also that it was not allowed to take photos during the show. I was unpleasantly surprised but managed to get the front seat after all. When I asked why I cannot take photos during the show I was told that people complained that it disturbs them from the show. Luckily enough my camera has a live view function, therefore I just put the camera on my knees and through the monitor tried to set the composition right and then I took many photos to make sure that I have plenty to choose from. Aperture 1/15 sec was just perfect as it nicely captured the movement of Whirling Dervishes but still kept the whole scene in focus. And at last not least… I was not the only person sneakily taking shots, there were more of us… but no one with DSLR :-)
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Lens's focal length: 17.00 - 40.00 mm, Photo Focal length: 17.00 mm, Aperture: 4.0, Exposure time: 1/15 s, ISO: 1250
All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova
All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Comments and faves
lloydh.co.uk, MT-Photo.net, Amitesh Chandra, @rj@v, and 302 other people added this photo to their favorites.
© Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com (31 months ago | reply)
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burningphoenix (31 months ago | reply)
Very nice.
MT-Photo.net (31 months ago | reply)
Very Artistic
Love it
Portraitlove ™ © [deleted] (31 months ago | reply)
amazing shot.................welldone
SafriX (31 months ago | reply)
Well capture!!!
antonyspencer (31 months ago | reply)
Beautiful image Lucie!
Amitesh Chandra (31 months ago | reply)
Surpassingly beautiful ! Worth stealing ;)
Artara Art (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
:::neoςkoςmoς (31 months ago | reply)
Love it
ARASH ALIAHMADI (31 months ago | reply)
I love MEWLANA .he is one of the great poet in the world.
beautiful shoot ,nice subject and great composition. GD luck
☆Mi☺Λmor☆ (31 months ago | reply)
oh this is beautiful and more so coz its stolen in such a nice manner ;) good work Lucie :)
☆Sushil☆ (31 months ago | reply)
amazing
Nicola__ (31 months ago | reply)
magic and wonderful !
►Klaus Allmannsberger Photography (31 months ago | reply)
Interesting light and good angle..
kkirkpatrick1 (31 months ago | reply)
Such a beautiful image!
[Jezza] (31 months ago | reply)
Wow! This is just stunning! Love the lighting in middle of this shot! Top marks! This one will do well :-) Instant fave!
Polimo (31 months ago | reply)
Waaw, spectacular!
wilfried.thomas (31 months ago | reply)
Very very beautiful!!!
Toni - http://antonioalabajos.com (31 months ago | reply)
Espectacular momento!!!
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. ( ?² )
FabIndia (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
patximadina (31 months ago | reply)
Very inspiring. Great work Lucie!!!
Dave Berryman (31 months ago | reply)
Nice!
-=Omi=- (31 months ago | reply)
Really well caught and processed! Well done :)
Cando Rol (31 months ago | reply)
Well explained and caught.
Congrats.
Franz-62 (31 months ago | reply)
Great shot!
Justin Smith - Photography (31 months ago | reply)
Wonderfully expressive capture.
Francisco Javier Martín [deleted] (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
@ires (31 months ago | reply)
fave+++!!! beautifully captured!!!!
Peter D.. (31 months ago | reply)
Wonderful movement, excellent lighting, shadows, colours..
Brilliant!
hakim_photo (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
great one!
Captain Suresh (31 months ago | reply)
Amazing shot ! Admire the composition.
jan.tito (31 months ago | reply)
Great action shot!
Pipall (31 months ago | reply)
Fantastic light and great use of the shutter speed indeed... The description was very interesting too!
Athas【ツ】 (31 months ago | reply)
Like a dream ;)
DEVENDRA PAL(AWAY) (31 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called !!THE MASTER OF MASTERPIECES (INVITED ONLY) P1/ C2. SWEEPER, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
ZARYLLA (31 months ago | reply)
fantastic shot...thanks to share!
.Derrick:) (31 months ago | reply)
Hi there I love your photo. Your shutter speed is perfect. Love the composition and lighting too.
MACK-DADDY (31 months ago | reply)
Very Beautiful !
Worth stealing :)
Thanks for sharing
@ires (31 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Winner of 'One of the best on Flickr' (15+Faves & Invited), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
just had to come back for another look...
.
Patrick Mayon (31 months ago | reply)
A 5D is not the smallest camera or the easiest to hide. Well done. This image is superb.
SkeenaValleyGirl (31 months ago | reply)
This is just too incredible. I think I am glad you stole the image. It does not make this spiritual practice any less mysterious from my pov. Thanks
J K Johnson (31 months ago | reply)
What a great catch - the motion is fantastic - exotic
dixie_law (31 months ago | reply)
I'm so impressed that you were able to get such a great shot "on the sly" and from your knees no less! Great sense of motion. Perfectly placed "dancers" and love the light.
Aamir Choudhry (K2 basecamp in June, Inshallah) (31 months ago | reply)
This is excellent
oliver portillo (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Verena Sala (31 months ago | reply)
a really great shot!!!
Abariltur (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
timo.frey (31 months ago | reply)
Wonderful capture!
Baloulumix (31 months ago | reply)
Cette photo est fantastique ! J'adore !
blue note1 (31 months ago | reply)
Jepp! Nice!