The Whirling Dervishes of Sufism Quiz

Answer: Sufi

The Whirling Dervishes belong to the Mevlevi Order, a Sufi sect within Islam. Sufism emphasises inner devotion, spiritual discipline, and a personal connection to God, distinguishing it from other branches of Islam.

Their main practice, the Sema, is a spinning ritual performed as an act of worship. It begins with prayers and Qur'anic verses, followed by the dervishes turning slowly in a controlled circle. This motion represents turning away from the ego and moving toward a higher spiritual focus.

Answer: To meditate and connect with God

Whirling serves as a form of meditation for the dervishes, helping them focus their mind and heart on God. It is a sacred ritual rather than a performance, designed to cultivate spiritual concentration and devotion.

Through the spinning, participants achieve a heightened state of awareness and emotional clarity. The movement symbolises the journey of the soul seeking understanding, emphasising mindfulness and inner reflection.

Answer: True

True. The continuous spinning helps dervishes enter a trance-like state, quieting mental distractions and allowing a deep focus on the divine. It also embodies the Sufi principle of transcending the self through physical practice.

This ritual motion is rich in symbolism, mirroring the rotation of planets and natural cycles, suggesting harmony between human beings and the wider universe. It allows practitioners to experience a connection with something larger than themselves.

Answer: Turkey

The Whirling Dervishes are most closely associated with Turkey, where the Mevlevi Order was founded in the 13th century by followers of the poet and mystic Rumi. The country became the centre of this spiritual tradition, linking the dervishes' whirling practice to both historical and religious roots.

Today, traditional Sema ceremonies continue to be held in cities like Konya and Istanbul, drawing both locals and visitors who want to witness the ritual. These performances highlight Turkey's cultural heritage while allowing people to experience the meditative and symbolic aspects of the dervishes' spiritual practice.

Answer: Spiritual ascent and unity with God

The rotation represents spiritual ascent and the pursuit of balance in life. Each turn is a metaphor for rising above worldly concerns and moving toward harmony with the universe.

It also signifies unity, both among individuals and with the divine. The physical act of spinning embodies equilibrium and the interconnected nature of existence, giving the ritual a profound symbolic meaning beyond the movement itself.

Answer: White

Whirling Dervishes traditionally wear white robes during the Sema ceremony. The colour white signifies purity and the soul's readiness to seek a connection with God, turning the garments themselves into symbols of spiritual devotion rather than just clothing.

Before the ceremony begins, dervishes often don a black cloak, which is removed to reveal the white robe beneath, symbolising the shedding of worldly attachments. The flowing robes accentuate the grace and calm of the whirling, reinforcing the peaceful, meditative atmosphere of the ritual.

Answer: The ego that must be overcome

The sikke is a tall, conical felt hat symbolising the ego, which the dervish must overcome. Wearing it reminds practitioners to remain humble and focused on spiritual rather than material pursuits.

As part of the Sema, the hat signifies the dervish's dedication to spiritual growth. Its design, often described as resembling a tombstone for the ego, underscores the principle of surrendering personal pride in favour of devotion.

Answer: Rumi

Rumi (Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi) a 13th-century Sufi poet, is the inspiration behind the Whirling Dervishes' practices. His writings explore divine love, spiritual transformation, and the transcendence of the self.

During the Sema, dervishes reflect on Rumi's poetry, which often uses imagery of spinning, music, and surrender to express spiritual awakening. His teachings guide the ritual's meditative and devotional aspects.

Answer: Pointing upward to receive blessings

During the Sema ceremony, the right hand is raised toward the sky to symbolise openness to spiritual blessings, while the left hand points downward, showing the intention to share these blessings with the world.

This positioning conveys the dervish's role as a link between heaven and earth. Combined with the spinning and accompanying music, it represents the flow of divine energy through the practitioner to the community.

Answer: Ney (reed flute)

The ney is a traditional end-blown reed flute that has been played in the Middle East for over 4,000 years. It holds a special place in Sufi music. Made from a piece of hollow cane with finger holes, it produces a soft, breathy, and deeply expressive sound. It requires a unique blowing technique, where the player directs air at an angle across the mouthpiece to create its distinctive tone.

Musicians often say that its voice resembles a human cry or sigh, which gives it a spiritual character. In the Mevlevi Sufi order, the ney is a symbol of the soul's longing to return to its divine source. During the Sema ceremony of the whirling dervishes, the ney's mournful melody leads the ensemble and sets the emotional tone for the ritual.