Sufis are whirling dervishes that aim to find love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. Sufism, often known as the mystical dimension of Islam, was formerly considered in Orientalist research as a spiritual movement that reached its apex (Nirvana) during the medieval period of Islamic history, with the crowning achievement being the magnificent literary works in Arabic and Persian that became the classics of Sufi endeavour.
The Sufi whirling dervishes ceremonies or Sema are accompanied by a distinct musical style.
The performers begin to spin in quick twists on their left feet, using the right foot to propel their bodies around the left foot. The whirler's body is intended to be supple, with eyes open but unfocused, so that impressions fade and merge.
In 2005, UNESCO declared the Whirling Dervishes Ritual as an INTANGIBLE WORLD HERITAGE in Traditional performing art social practices themes.