Mevlevi Sema Ceremony

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
09/12/2010 14:59

I now have confirmation of the Mevlevi Ceremony for this year.

It's on Friday 17th December at 7pm, at the Mevlevi Teke, Nicosia. (Just down from the Kyrenia Gate.)

Mevleviye are known for their famous practice of whirling dances. At their dancing ceremonies, or Sema, a particular musical repertoire called ayin is played. This is based on four sections of both vocal and instrumental compositions using contrasting rhythmic cycles and is performed by at least one singer, a flute-player (neyzen), a kettledrummer and a cymbal player. The oldest musical compositions stem from the mid-sixteenth century combining Persian and Turkish musical traditions. The repertoire was continuously broadened, and the first notations were made from the early twentieth century onwards. The Ceremony was banned in Turkey in 1925, but continued in Cyprus till 1956. It was reinstated at the Mevlevi Tekke, in 2002.

>>>>more

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
09/12/2010 14:59

<<<<

Information about the ceremony can be found at http://whatson-northcyprus.com/whatson/events/mevlevi_ceremony.htm and about the Mevlevi Tekke here. http://whatson-northcyprus.com/interest/nicosia/north_nicosia/mevlevi_tekke.htm



The ceremony will probably be repeated before Christmas at universities in Kyrenia, Lefkosa, and Guzelyurt, but the most authentic place to see it is at the Tekke.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
09/12/2010 15:08

You'll find the Mevlevi Tekke on this map of Walled Nicosia (inside the black rectangular):

▶ [ http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/PG-walled_Nicosia_1.3_cut_72.jpg ].

chinaeyes


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 08:53

Will you be going Ian.Really enjoyed the "Saints Day" few months back.

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 13:32

Hopefully I'll be there as I've missed the last 2, being in the UK.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 14:28

We went to see this ceremony the last time we were in Istanbul. Definitely worth a visit as it very interesting.





The butlers wife

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 15:36

Wherer do you get tickets, or is it on the night..?

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 16:21

Just turn up. No tickets & no charge