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Great Travel Moment While exiting the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, I followed the sound of drums and came upon Whirling Dervishes. They were demonstrating the ritual dance; called sema, for a traveling U.S. group televising for an up-coming TV show. Dervishes are Sufi Muslims, monks who follow Mevlevi, a sect of Islam who believes that by silent spinning, their souls are released from earthly ties and are free to joyfully commune with the Divine. Normally, one must get permission to attend a sema prayer ritual dance at a designated spiritual center where shooting photos is forbidden. As this was only an outdoor demonstration, it was an exciting and rare opportunity for me to capture the moment. I stood in awe of their graceful, tireless precision. Certainly a high point of our Turkey trip! |
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Comments (13)
I don't know how you did it, but it's a beautiful shot. Kuddos!
debralu
You captured the movement of the dancer very nicely!
manelson
Kudos to the photog on this mystical photo.
cocomerlin
Wonderful - capturing the spirituality as well as the movement, both beautifully.
jasonr
great movement and atmosphere
corineg
great motion and atmosphere
corineg
It's almost eerie, as if floating in the air, not touching anything but your mind.
littletoyman
This actually looks surreal - the spinning white blur and bright blue background... How lovely! This is definitely my favorite photo of the bunch!
laurenveronica
I appreciate your picture and know firsthand what a special experience it is to witness this form of prayer. However, photos are permitted at performances. It's only the flash that isn't allowed.
FreakStreet
I appreciate your picture and know firsthand what a special experience it is to witness this form of prayer. However, photos are permitted at performances. It's only the flash that isn't allowed.
FreakStreet
Excellent visual of a serendipitous event!
janiceeve
Fabulous photo of a rite not available to the general public. Cudoos to the photog!!!
AALadish
Fabulous photo of a rite not available to the general public. Cudoos to the photog!!!
AALadish