Sema ceremony and Mevlevi talk

The Sema is a ceremony of remembrance from the Mevlevi tradition founded on the teachings of Rumi, and is listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage. It is not a dance show, and we prepare the group so it is experienced in the right spirit. In Istanbul we arrange it in a historic hall in the old city; in Cappadocia in the thirteenth-century Saruhan caravanserai near Avanos.

Before the ceremony a scholar of Sufi music gives a 30-minute talk: who Rumi was, the meaning of the white robe and tall felt hat, the four parts of the ceremony and the instruments, the ney, kudüm and tanbur. Guests can ask questions in English, Turkish or Arabic.

The ceremony itself lasts about an hour. We ask guests to stay seated, not to applaud and not to take photographs while it is in progress; a few minutes for photos are allowed at the end. It sits well before a quiet dinner rather than before a party.