Mevlevi Sema Ceremony is a mystical ceremony with religious elements, themes and detailed rules. The Sema Ceremony is performed with traditional Mevlevi music in places where the Mevlevi culture can be accurately conveyed. Mevlevi Sema Ceremony is on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008.
The Mevlevi culture is an ascetic Sufi order founded in 1273 in Konya, from where it gradually spread throughout the Ottoman Empire. Today, it can be found in many Turkish communities throughout the world, but the most active and famous center of the order’s activity is in Konya.
The Mevlevi culture is renowned for their Whirling Dervishes. Everything rotates in the universe. The Earth and the planets revolve around itself and around the sun, like the electrons in the atoms, the rotation of blood in the body, the return of living things from the earth to the earth. For this reason, Mevlevi Dervishes whirl with the love of God.
At the Sema Ceremony, following a recommended fast of several hours, with the Mevlevi music performed with the Ney (reed flute), the Mevlevi Dervishes in specific and traditional costume begin to rotate on their left feet in short twists, using the right foot to drive their bodies around the left foot. The body of the whirler is meant to be supple, with eyes open but unfocused so that images become blurred and flowing.
Every year during the first half of December, Şeb-i Arus (Wedding Night) ceremony held in commemoration of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, with Mevlevi Sema Ceremony creating a fascinating performance for the viewer.
Turkish folk music, in different dialects and forms in various regions of Türkiye are all sung local ethnic music. Turkish folk music is called "Türkü". Inner Anatolian music is performed with Turkish musical instruments, especially Baglama, Zurna and drum.
Local folk music of Konya constitutes an important part of the inner Anatolian music. Visitors to Konya have a unique time with its rhythm.