The tenor of towns in Turkey changes depending upon how religious and conservative they are. Among western-oriented, secular, cosmopolitan Turks, Konya is not a favorite place. More women wear scarves here, and it’s filled with pilgrims who come to visit the tomb of Sufi mystic Rumi (better known to Turks as Mevlana, meaning “master” in Persian). While I probably wouldn’t like to live here, as a traveler I really like Konya.
Konya’s market hall is just one colorful dimension of this fascinating city.We filmed at the mosque where Mevlana is buried. Thankfully, we were allowed inside before it opened so that we could do our most exacting shots. Once the door opened and the pilgrims flooded in, it was tough to get a clear shot of anything. Photo credit: Dean Cannon.Lale arranged with a local follower of Mevlana to let us film him as he whirled. I interviewed him first so that we properly understood the meaning of his ritual (hand up to accept the love of God, other hand down to connect God’s love with His creation, one foot grounded in word of God and community, the other foot celebrating the diversity of our world — whirl into a trance while meditating on that idea). Then, the breathy flute player started, and the dervish whirled. I was mesmerized by the prayer, and all of us agreed that this will be an amazing part of our program. Photo credit: Dean Cannon.
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5 Replies to “Konya: Where Monks Whirl”
I first visited Konya back in 1974. I found it to be a quiet, dusty, rather mysterious and alluring small town. I was stunned when I went back in 1998 (on a RS tour) and found it had become a bustling city of a million people!
I’ve learned alot about all the places you’ ve visited during the last several weeks. Thank-you for all of the postings on your blog.
My travel buddy and I stumbled onto a whirling-dervish presentation offer–near Istanbul’s mammoth grand bazaar–and decided to skip shopping to see it. WELL WORTH THE TIME! We were given an excellent printed explanation in English, although everything spoken was in the Turkish language. That evening was one of the high points of visiting Istanbul, along with Topkapi Palace, the INCREDIBLE archaeological museum, the walk-through underground cistern, ceramic-tiled Blue Mosque, and the glory of the Hagia Sophia’s incredible architecture, history and mosaics. Our small, family-run hotel (found on the internet, containing just 6-7 guest rooms) was immaculately kept, within a reasonable walking distance of “all of the above,” and served a great (included) breakfast. Istanbul has a LOT to offer travelers from anywhere in the world. I would definitely go there again!
PS to the previous post from Carol about Istanbul: If you enjoy reading, check out “The Sheen on the Silk,” a novel by Anne Perry that should be available through your local public library. Set in 13th century Istanbul (when it was still named Constantinople and a rival city of Venice for world trade and intrigue), you will be introduced to the customs, people, medicines, and world view of both ordinary and extraordinary people of the day. From world rulers to the lowliest baker and street sweeper, “The Sheen on the Silk” shows you Istanbul … AND gives you a sneak-peak at Venice as well as the experience of sailing there from Istanbul. I found it to be sort of a “you-are-there” read–felt like I was experiencing parts of the story! (And, NO, I don’t work for the author and I’m NOT a librarian … I just love to read about other places, other times, especially when the subject is a place I’ve visited!)
On my recent trip to Turkey I had dinner by wandering about the central streets of Konya and buying various goodies from the street venders and the small shops. Not once, but twice I accidentally overpaid the merchants. Both times they came after me and gave me the correct change. How refreshing!
I first visited Konya back in 1974. I found it to be a quiet, dusty, rather mysterious and alluring small town. I was stunned when I went back in 1998 (on a RS tour) and found it had become a bustling city of a million people!
I’ve learned alot about all the places you’ ve visited during the last several weeks. Thank-you for all of the postings on your blog.
My travel buddy and I stumbled onto a whirling-dervish presentation offer–near Istanbul’s mammoth grand bazaar–and decided to skip shopping to see it. WELL WORTH THE TIME! We were given an excellent printed explanation in English, although everything spoken was in the Turkish language. That evening was one of the high points of visiting Istanbul, along with Topkapi Palace, the INCREDIBLE archaeological museum, the walk-through underground cistern, ceramic-tiled Blue Mosque, and the glory of the Hagia Sophia’s incredible architecture, history and mosaics. Our small, family-run hotel (found on the internet, containing just 6-7 guest rooms) was immaculately kept, within a reasonable walking distance of “all of the above,” and served a great (included) breakfast. Istanbul has a LOT to offer travelers from anywhere in the world. I would definitely go there again!
PS to the previous post from Carol about Istanbul: If you enjoy reading, check out “The Sheen on the Silk,” a novel by Anne Perry that should be available through your local public library. Set in 13th century Istanbul (when it was still named Constantinople and a rival city of Venice for world trade and intrigue), you will be introduced to the customs, people, medicines, and world view of both ordinary and extraordinary people of the day. From world rulers to the lowliest baker and street sweeper, “The Sheen on the Silk” shows you Istanbul … AND gives you a sneak-peak at Venice as well as the experience of sailing there from Istanbul. I found it to be sort of a “you-are-there” read–felt like I was experiencing parts of the story! (And, NO, I don’t work for the author and I’m NOT a librarian … I just love to read about other places, other times, especially when the subject is a place I’ve visited!)
On my recent trip to Turkey I had dinner by wandering about the central streets of Konya and buying various goodies from the street venders and the small shops. Not once, but twice I accidentally overpaid the merchants. Both times they came after me and gave me the correct change. How refreshing!