Sufis are whirling dervishes that aim to find love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. Sufism, often known as the mystical dimension of Islam, was formerly considered in Orientalist research as a spiritual movement that reached its apex (Nirvana) during the medieval period of Islamic history, with the crowning achievement being the magnificent literary works in Arabic and Persian that became the classics of Sufi endeavor.


The Sufi whirling dervishes ceremonies or Sema are accompanied by a distinct musical style called Ayin. This is based on four parts of vocal and instrumental compositions with contrasting rhythmic cycles, which are performed by at least one singer, a flute player (neyzen), a kettledrummer, and a cymbal player.


Within the mevlevihanes, a kind of cloister, performers would receive 1,001 days of secluded training where they studied ethics, standards of conduct and beliefs by practicing prayer, religious music, poetry and dance. They remain as members of the order but return to their occupations and families after this training. Spiritualismis combined with secular life.


The performers begin to spin in quick twists on their left feet, using the right foot to propel their bodies around the left foot. The whirler's body is intended to be supple, with eyes open but unfocused, so that impressions fade and merge.


In 2005, UNESCO declared the Whirling Dervishes Ritual as an INTANGIBLE WORLD HERITAGE in Traditional performing art social practices themes.


Whirling Dervishes Ceremonies are available in a 13th Century Caravanserai called Saruhan in Cappadocia. Caravanserais were used for hundreds of years as roadside inns where people and their animals could rest safely. Caravanserais aided economic transactions, communication, and human movement across Asia, North Africa, and South-Eastern Europe through the network of trade routes that stretched across these regions.


The performance begins at around 18:00 and lasts 1,5 hours in total.