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new site address - please update www.saraswati.soc.btinternet.co.uk index page new site address - please update www.saraswati.soc.btinternet.co.ukTHE HISTORY
The ancient ceremony of whirling was revived by Mevlana Jalalu'ddin Rumi during the 13th century and was continued by his family and other followers. The whirling ceremony (called the Sema) provided the main driving force in the dervish's search for Truth. It included three divinely inspired elements of music, poetry and whirling.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
The shrinking of the Ottoman Empire and the westernising of Turkish culture almost stopped the Sema completely. Some true Mevlevis continued in private homes and later taught it to others outside of Turkey. This has preserved the Sema even though it has been degraded in Turkey and elsewhere by making it into a public show. Some present groups do not use live music and imitate the idea of the sema as a show.
THE SEMA AND SARASWATI SOCIETY
Members of the Society practice daily the traditional Sema and correct music as taught by the Turkish masters. Sometimes others are invited to the Sema.
