Rumi - Sema

“Dervish” literally means “doorway” and circling is the perfect motion in the ceremony of Sema. The dance is performed as an introspective revolution, circling deeper towards a true sense of self.

Each article of clothing bears meaning for the spiritual journey taken by the dancer, also known as a semazen. The black cloak represents the ego, the semazen removes this upon engaging in the dance. The camel’s hair hat serves as a tombstone for the ego and the white skirt and vest represent the ego’s death shroud. All become lost in the turning as love for divine transcendence takes over.

The dance itself is a system of surrender, transcending the notion of separateness altogether, each step a submission of both body and soul dissolving into a singular, divine form. It is also said that the ritual represents the planets (semazen) revolving around the sun (the sheikh).

Hear the love fire tangled
in the reed notes, as bewilderment

melts into wine. The reed is a friend
to all who want the fabric torn

and drawn away. The reed is hurt
and salve combining. Intimacy

and longing for intimacy, one
song. A disastrous surrender

and a fine love, together. The one
who secretly hears this is senseless.

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