Whirling Makes Me Dizzy

@DianneN (246834)
United States
January 26, 2016 8:24am CST
Not far from Konya, Turkey, we took advantage of an extra excursion to see a religious ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes. I heard of them, but desperately wanted to see them. The photo was taken just after their religious ceremony for the purpose of a photo shoot. We went to a temple in the evening, before dinner. We were lucky to sit in front of the ceremony, so close, that my knees touched the back of my favorite. He was so handsome! Chuckle, chuckle. A group of musicians chanted and played their old, ancient instruments and the priest chanted. Four dervishes participated in their prayers, then began whirling and whirling into a trance, while the priest watched to make sure no one fell or got hurt. The entire time, I watched in amazement, caught up by the beautiful music and the sacred ritual. I also got a big breeze as each of them whirled by! This wasn't a show. It was a religious ceremony. It was a highlight of my trip to Turkey, not far from Konya.
31 people like this
29 responses
• United States
26 Jan 16
I have heard the term dervish. Now I got to see them here in this lovely photo. I would also have been entranced by the handsomeness lolz
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Lol! He was adorable! I have a short video with music and all. Wish I could share it.
2 people like this
• United States
26 Jan 16
@DianneN wish you could too Dianne..You can put it on YouTube somehow and then share the link here if you choose to..
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
@TiarasOceanView That's a thought. I will have to try to remember how to do that. It could take years! Lol!!!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48442)
• Canada
26 Jan 16
The picture is intriguing as it makes me think that it must have been an experience that you won't easily forget. I can understand how that would have been the highlight of your trip. How often do they practise these rituals?
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
As in any religion, it is up to the individual. Some do it daily, others don't.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48442)
• Canada
26 Jan 16
@DianneN It looked like a special ceremony, but I guess not.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
@Juliaacv They can do it in their homes, too.
2 people like this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
26 Jan 16
I could watch them whirl for hours, but don't ask me to do it.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
So can I, and I won't!
3 people like this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
26 Jan 16
Oh wow, Dianne, I saw them on tv, during The Amazing Race, and I thought, "how do they whirl like that, and not just fall over"... @DianneN , what a great tour you had. :-)
3 people like this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
26 Jan 16
@DianneN , ha ha! Maybe if I close my eyes tight and dream a little, I can imagine I was there, and it was not on The Amazing Race...But then I would not have had that chocolate I was eating while I watched that episode :D ;-). Glad that you have such a magical memory to think back on.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
That was so mesmerizing - lol! Loved it and keep thinking about it. Glad you saw it, even if it was on The Amazing Race. Lol!
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 16
Just think a couple of years before I was there too DianneN. Our time keeping is not very good is it! They were astounding I was so absorbed by it. It is fascinating how they stop and do not wobble at all. I think one spin and I would be all over the place!
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 16
@DianneN Erm would that be horizontally or Vertically?
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Lol! Me, too. I'm used to being on the floor after a cocktail.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
26 Jan 16
I have motion sickness so I probably could not have watched that.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Sorry you have motion sickness. It was so beautiful to see and hear.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
26 Jan 16
@DianneN I bet it was.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169966)
• United States
26 Jan 16
that is something really different. When I was in Mexico, we saw the Mayan dancers,,,that was kind of neat too!
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
I never saw Mayan dancing. I'm sure it was awesome!
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 16
How interesting that it wasn't a show put on for you. I'd love to see it.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
There are shows in the US. I wouldn't go to those. This was the real deal.
2 people like this
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
26 Jan 16
Ancient ceremony, blah, blah, sacred ritual, blah, blah, blah, beautiful music blah, blah!! It was all about the handsome bloke wasn't it??? Go on admit it. They could have have been playing 'The Birdie Song' on comb and paper and doing a Dad dance. You wouldn't have noticed
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Lol! You got me!
2 people like this
@Missmwngi (12927)
• Nairobi, Kenya
26 Jan 16
Waoh sounds like a good one I would love to watch such That Konya is so close to Kenya lol
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Lol!!!! Not quite, but almost.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jan 16
What a fascinating experience. I cannot imagine how they manage to do that.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
27 Jan 16
Thanks, Deb. Don't laugh, but I tried it when I returned home. Impossible!
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 16
So do they or do they not walk funny after they finish?
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Lol! They sit!
2 people like this
• United States
27 Jan 16
@DianneN That is very wise. I am sure they need the room to stop spinning before walking around.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
26 Jan 16
Like you, I'd get dizzy. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
One has to make the most when given the opportunity, especially since I most likely will never be there again.
2 people like this
• Philippines
26 Jan 16
Interesting. Well I do get dizzy too when whirling.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
Me, too. I loved getting dizzy as a child and falling down. Not anymore!
2 people like this
• Philippines
26 Jan 16
@DianneN me too!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jan 16
I would love to have seen that, I have always wondered about it.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
I have heard of performances in the US, but it isn't quite the same.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458106)
• Switzerland
26 Jan 16
I have never assisted to the Sama ceremony. It is very interesting the story how this dance had its origins.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
26 Jan 16
There is a lot of history in Turkey, which I never knew much about.
2 people like this
@hostessman (11871)
• Tucson, Arizona
26 Jan 16
Sounds very interesting and entertaining. I am glad you had a nice time.
2 people like this
@just4him (306237)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Jan 16
I'm glad you had an enjoyable time.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jan 16
This would have been an amazing experience. How fortunate you were!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
28 Jan 16
I was very pleased to see it. As I said, it was a highlight of my trip.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
27 Jan 16
That would be a highlight to see a unique ceremony like that.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246834)
• United States
27 Jan 16
It was beyond belief for me.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
27 Jan 16
@DianneN I am sure I would find that moving.
1 person likes this