Turkish dervish, Turkey
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Turkish dervish, Turkey
Turkish dervish, Turkey. Date: circa 1870
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14137780
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Pump Park Photography
Beads Darwesh Dervish Dervishes Mevlevi Necklace Weapon Whirling Racial
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, estimated to date back to the 1870s, offers a rare glimpse into the mystical world of the Turkish Dervishes, a Sufi Islamic religious order originating in Turkey. The image features several men, dressed in traditional Dervish attire, engaging in the mesmerizing practice of the 'Sama' or 'Whirling Dance.' The Dervishes, also known as Mevlevis, are renowned for their unique spiritual discipline, which is believed to bring the practitioner closer to God through music, meditation, and dance. The dance is characterized by the dervishes spinning around in a trance-like state, often with their arms outstretched and their skirts swirling around them. In this photograph, we see a group of Dervishes in various stages of the dance, their faces expressive and focused. Some hold a 'Sekhme,' a wooden staff or axe, which symbolizes the struggle against the lower self and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment. Others wear beaded necklaces and other traditional accessories. Despite the serene and otherworldly atmosphere of the scene, it is important to remember that the Dervishes and their practices have faced racial and religious prejudice throughout history. The Sufi tradition, with its emphasis on love, tolerance, and unity, has often been misunderstood and misrepresented, leading to negative stereotypes and even persecution. This photograph, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions that have shaped the history of Turkey and the wider Islamic world. It invites us to look beyond superficial differences and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of human expression and spirituality.
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