In the Press
Dervishes bring sacred Sufi dance to Reno -- 04-09-2007
Dervishes bring sacred Sufi dance to Reno
FORREST HARTMAN
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 4/9/2007
Wednesday, Northern Nevadans will have an opportunity to learn more about Islamic traditions through an appearance by the Order of the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi.
The group is visiting the U.S. from Turkey, and they represent one branch of Islamic Sufism. During a one-time, Wednesday performance, the Whirling Dervishes will speak about their order, perform live music and present the Sema, a sacred dance dating back hundreds of years.
The Whirling Dervishes, or Mevlevi, were founded by Rumi, a 13th century mystic poet, and the group continues to follow his teachings. Ismail Ozdemir, president of the Sierra Foundation, which is presenting the Reno performance, said Rumi was an advocate of peace, tolerance and goodness. It's his hope that the Pioneer Center show encourages more people to read Rumi's works and consider his teachings.
"Basically our goal is just to promote friendship and dialog, either interfaith or intercultural dialog," Ozdemir said. "Right now, Rumi is one of the most widely read poets in the states. English translations of Rumi's poems by Coleman Barks have sold more than a half million copies worldwide."
Although the Wednesday performance is steeped in Islamic tradition, Ozdemir said he hopes people of all faiths will consider attending. Those who do will be treated to Turkish and Sufi music performed on traditional instruments, and they will of course, witness the Sema, the whirling religious dance that the Dervishes are known for.
The dance, Ozdemir noted, is rooted in philosophy.
"It is scientifically recognized that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve," he said. "There is no single object that doesn't revolve in the world because all beings are comprised of revolving electrons, protons and neutrons. "» Human beings live by the revolution of these particles and by the revolution of the blood in his or her body, by the revolution of the stages of his life because his body is coming from the Earth and he's returning to it. And all these revolutions are natural and unconscious. "» Whirling Dervishes intentionally and consciously participate in the shared revolution of other beings. But their goal is not to lose consciousness or fall into a state of ecstasy. By whirling in harmony with all things in nature, the Whirling Dervishes testify to the existence and majesty of the creator."
The dance is also filled with symbolic meaning, Ozdemir said, and people who attend Wednesday's performance will receive information on that.
"We will give them handouts before they come into the Pioneer Center," he said. "But we will also show them what they (the Whirling Dervishes) do. Who are they? What does that mean?"
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St.
Tickets: $20 to $40 ($5 student discount available at Pioneer Center box office). Purchase at the box office or online at www.pioneercenter.com
Details: (877) 840-0457
IMPORTANT NOTE TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Sema is a spiritual act, so please do not applaud while watching. Those who wish to applaud may do so after the dancers have left the stage.
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