The Sema Whirling dervishes ceremony is the inspiration of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi (1207 - 1273). A part of the Turkish culture, it is also integral to the belief system and history of Konya.

The ceremony symbolizes the different meanings of a mystic cycle to perfection; Ascension to Mirac. In essence, it is what we do as a form of remembrance to God. The most notable person in Konya was the world famous "Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi" who established the Mevlevi Sufi philosophy.

Watch in wonder at this 1-hour show in Cappadocia, as the whirling dervishes take their place and praise the Prophet Mohammed. Following a chant, the extraordinary whirling dervishes revolve to represent the birth of humanity. With his hat (his ego's tombstone), and his white skirt (his ego's shroud) the dervish is spiritually born to the truth. When he removes his black cloak, he journeys and advances to the spiritual maturity through the stages of the Sema.

At the beginning and each stage of the Sema, holding his arms crosswise he testifies to God's unity. It ends with Fatiha for the souls of all prophets, martyrs and believers, and a prayer for the salvation of the country.

Dating back centuries, the tradition represents in thrilling fashion the idea that in the universe, everything, from atoms to the solar system to the blood that circulates in the body, revolves.