Dervish Dancing Performance in Cappadocia 2024-2025

Take a glance of one of the most impressive performances of Cappadocia's best whirling dancers

Best time: all year round

The whirling Dervish dance in Cappadocia is held in a beautiful historical setting. The performance fulfills your Turkish holidays perfectly well. The dance itself is deeply spiritual and each and every move of it stands for a particular Islamic symbol. At the very beginning of his whirling, the dancer holds his hands crosswise representing the divine beginning. Later on, he straightens his arms symbolizing his openness to the God. At this stage, his right arm is reached out to the sky showing his will to get God's blessings, while the left one is directed to the Earth standing for the connection to the human world. The very whirling of the dancer represents his eternal love for humanity. One more thing that you have to keep in mind is that silence is expected from the guests throughout the ceremony.

Practical info

When and where does the whirling dervish performance take place in Cappadocia?

The whirling Dervish dance in Cappadocia is a performance that takes place in the evenings after dinner. The dance is performed at museums, hotels, and ancient caves across Cappadocia. Some of the popular venues include the Saruhan Caravanserai, the Ottoman House, and the Cappadocia Cultural Center in Goreme. Tour operators or hotel staff can provide information on performance schedules and locations.

What is the historical setting where the dance is held in Cappadocia?

The whirling dervish dance is held in historical venues such as old caravanserais, caves, and cultural centers across Cappadocia. One venue is the Saruhan Caravanserai, located west of Avanos. This location is a cultural center showcasing Turkish traditional art and culture. The performance at the Caravanserai is held in the courtyard, adorned with Seljuk and Ottoman architectural features to add to the authenticity of the experience.

What do the movements of the whirling Dervish dance symbolize?

The whirling Dervish dance is a spiritual Sufi ritual symbolizing the relationship between man and God. The dance is meditative and enables the whirling Dervish to achieve an ecstatic state of spirituality, considering physical and spiritual duality. The constant spinning means the union and harmony of heaven and earth, from which the whirling Dervish realizes his spiritual connection to God. He becomes a vessel to God's energy for meaningful connections with humanity.

Is there a dress code for the guests attending the ceremony?

Guests must wear modest clothing for the whirling dervish ceremony as it is a spiritual act. The ceremony's sacred nature means guests should avoid anything revealing or tight-fitting. The silence rule must be respected by turning off mobile phones, not talking, or whispering, showing respect to the performers and ceremony's spiritual nature.

Can guests take pictures or record videos during the performance?

Guests cannot take pictures or record videos during the whirling dervish performance as it detracts from the spiritual nature of the event. Upon entering the venue, guests are expected to switch off their mobile phones and store camera equipment. This rule preserves the sacred and meditative nature of the ceremony for performers and guests. Some organizers provide professional photographers or videographers to capture the performance separately.