Whirling dervishes perform Sema ritual in Turkey - in pictures

Ceremony marks 749th anniversary of the death of poet Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

Whirling dervishes perform a Sema ritual at Galata Mevlevi Lodge in Istanbul, Turkey. All photos: Reuters

The dance was performed during one of many ceremonies to mark the 749th anniversary of the death of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi.

Rumi was an Anatolian mystic, poet and the father of the Mevlevi order.

Whirling dervish ceremonies were started as a form of meditation by Rumi.

Dancers wear long white robes with full skirts.

Dancers also wear tall conical felt hats called sikke, ranging from brown to gray to black depending on their sect.

Dancers initially wear long dark cloaks over their white robes, which are cast off when the dancer is assumed to be without fault.

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