Performance by Egyptian Mawlawiyah Group
In ancient Egypt, the practice of whirling was included in the annual Pharaonic rituals associated with the resurrection of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, the underworld and the dead. The ritual symbolizes the ending of the conflict between good and evil. Osiris is also believed to be the one who taught a man how to play the flute, which is also integral to the Sufi practices of the order in which whirling is an important aspect. Established in 1994 by Amer Eltony, a musician and scholar of Egyptian culture, the group has done pioneering work in showcasing the Mevlawi heritage of Egypt. This internationally acclaimed group is known for its spectacular audio-visual performances that combine spiritual and meditative aspects with aesthetic expressions. The performance includes a musical prelude followed by the spiritual ecstasy created by the whirling dervishes. The climactic piece is Tannoura, a unique dance of Egyptian origin, performed by the dervishes dressed in a colorful skirt, symbolizing the existence of the human soul on physical, metaphysical and spiritual planes.