Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-23
NHIRLING DERVISHES.
DEvOTEES WHO SEEK SALVATION
BY SPINNING LIKE TOPS.
II Constantinople Correspondent Describes
Some Remarkable Ceremonials-Bow-
ing Low to the Name of the Prophet.
Short Seasons of Prayer-Sad Faces.

But to return to the dervish chapel which
was describing. A deep gallery runs around
SIX sides OF the large room. On the side next
Mecca, where the high priest sits, is small
but lofty pulpit, reached by a narrow flight
OF steps. Besides this you observe portion
of the gallery is partitioned off and highly
ornamented This, with the screen of gilded
lattice next it, is reserved for the Sultan and
his harem. From the lofty pulpit a sermon
is delivered on some special holy days, but at
such times all 'Ghiours" are excluded. In
deed. there is little provision made for their
comfort at any time The space set apart
for spectators is separated from that occu-
pied by the brethren by low railing, and it
is motley gathering that fills this space.
The center Of I'll, floor is sacred to the
brethren, and is worn SO smooth by the fric-
ton of their bare feet that you would think
it had been polished and waxed. There is
narrow strip of mating next the rail, on
which the brothers sit and kneel. Against
the pillars that support the galleries are hung
frames containing passages from the Koran.
Above the seat of the chief priest is the
name OF the prophet in large letters of gold
on a dark green ground The high priests
seat is simply crimson rug, where he sits
cross legged, wrapped in loose green cloak
with wide flowing sleeves. The musicians
are stationed in the gallery directly opposite
the high priest.
1t is an impressive sight when the dervishes
enter slowly, IN single file, the little gate of
the inclosure with their long light brown
cloaks wrapped about them, concealing their
hands. They first bow low to the name of
the prophet, then with step keeping time to
the music from the gallery, which fills the
room with its low monotOnouS strains, they
take their places, bend forward and rever-
emily kiss the ground; then, with both hands
folded across the breast, seem lost i'll prayer,
their bodies constantly swaying to and fro in
time with the music. Now the high priest
rises and delivers an audible prayer; the
others remain motionless with hands still
folded on the breast At the close of the
prayer all bow their heads to the ground, and
a weird, barbaric melody peals forth from
the gallery.
Instantly the brethren all join in the chorus
The effect is indescrible Now the sound dies
away till it is but as the whisper of the winds
among the pines, then it again bursts forth
with an energy that appears almost super
natural, followed by another stiffness of
ibOoo q iSl ellohJ " uSH tilG
low strains are again heard they all rise and
slowly follow the high priest three times
around the room With arms still reverently
folded upon the breast they bow twice to the
hame of the prophet-first on the side by
which they approach, then on the side OPP
posite-which they manage to accomplish
very gracefully without once turning their
backs upon the sacred name by slowly re-
volving upon the right foot.
The procession is closed by a second pros
tratiOn. When each has gained his place he
throws aside his cloak and begins the series
of remarkable evolutions which has given
them the name of dancing" or "whirling'
dervishes Meaningless as it all seems to us,
to them ey' rite has deep significance
Their rapid .otary motion symbolizes the
motion OF the universe, their low weird mu,
sic the music of the spheres.
Their dress consists of loose shirt-jacket
and full long skirt of light brown cloth The
right side of the jacket is fastened to the
girdle, the left hangs loose. The skirt is laid
in deep plaits beneath the girdle Their
rapid revolutions give these full garments
bell shaped appearance, some of the most
expert among them making their skirts
stand almost at right angles with the body
The'spectacle utterly battles description. Al
though the space was somewhat circurn-
scribed they never once interfered with each
others locomotion, but round and round
they spun, as if impelled by an unseen
power their eyes half closed, their heads
bent toward the right, their PALE thin, pas
sionless faces perfectly immobile, though
great beads of Precipitation were soon stand
ing on their brows.
If for any reason one of them made a sud
den pause, his garments wound about him in
singular manner Three times they all
paused for prayer, then resumed the rapid
motion, with one hand held upward to re-
ceive the expected blessings, the other ex-
tended downward to scatter them abroad
Finally they reSurned their seats on the strip
of mating, bathed in perspiration, when one
of the brethren, who had seemed simply a
spectator, covered each with his mantle
Then dervish whose seat was at the left of
the high priests delivered long prayer in
q solemn but rapid manner, the last word Of
each section being greatly prolonged. This
prayer was for the great ones of their order,
the dervishes bowling reverently as each holy
name was uttered. When at length the name
of the prophet occurred they Frustrated
themselves on the ground. While they were
thus PROSTATE the chief priest rose to his
knees, delivered shortprayer, then took his
stand upon the crimsonsrUg. The priests ap
preaching him slowly, one by one took his
hand, and pressed it to their lips and fore
head. The first that advanced stationed
himself at the right of the priest, the second
in the same manner sahlted the priest and
his brothsr-each in turn performed the same
ceremony until all had received the kiss OF
peace
As no seats are allowed we stood fully an
hour and a half, every moment expecting to
see some exhibition of religious ecstasy, but
saw nothing Of the kind. All the dervishes
looked weary and sad and all were very
thin except an African, whose extra avoirdu-
pois. together with the violent exercise, soon
brought him 70 a melting mood and he
retired to his seat looking but little like one
inspired with seraphic visions. Another
priest who claimed our notice was beard
less youth with features cast in SO delicate
a mold that you would have turned and
looked again and again before fully con-
WINGED it was not young girl IN disguise.
Another, a slender boy Of about 10 years,
was remarked by Us all because Of the look
of deep anxiety on his young face. but bis
rapid motion seemed TO fatigue him less than
his elders.
Soon the salutations were all over and the
chapel was deserted. the whole OF the con
gregation dispensing without word, rs soon
as they could reclaim shoes and umbrellas OF
the porter at the door,. a. Ledyard il
Gan Francisco Chronicle
Tomhs of the Soverefyrs
II the vault Of tie Cayucine church st
Vienna xrba-a the Austrian soyeriCus