Monday 29 June 2015

AP PHOTOS: Cairo's dervishes spin for their supper

In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spins the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with the Whirling Dervishes the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with the whirling dervishes — the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings.

The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.

But Amr el-Toney, founder of the Mawlawiyah dervish dance troupe, says there are also parallels to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

El-Toney says there is evidence painted on the walls of temples and tombs that ancient Egyptian mystics would also whirl in circles as a form of meditation. Later, the 13th century Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic Jalaleddin Rumi used musical instruments and complex body movements for a similar purpose, and formed the original Mawlawiyah fraternity of Sufi Muslim mystics.
El-Toney's crew is more of a crowd-pleasing dance troupe than any sort of religious order, but he says the roots and the inspiration of the ancient Mawlawiyah shine through.
"We aim to keep the balance between the Sufi recitations and modern signing style, looking to leave our own heritage to the coming generations," el-Toney said. "All of the words of our recitations are about loving God."
Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, el-Toney said. Even the name of the troupe comes from the Arabic word "mawlana" which means "our lord" — a reference to God.
The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job.
"I'm ready to dance for free, especially with the Mawlawiyah dervishes," said troupe members Ali Taha. "While whirling I feel like a white bird flying in the sky."  
(AP) 
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Sayed Abdel Basir, center, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spins during a performance at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The dervishes perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Sayed Abdel Basir, center, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spins during a performance at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The dervishes perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. 
In this Saturday, May 30, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spin during a performance at the 15th century El-Ghouri Palace, in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with whirling dervishes - the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Saturday, May 30, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spin during a performance at the 15th century El-Ghouri Palace, in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with whirling dervishes - the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. 
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe during a performance at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervishes is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe during a performance at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervishes is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 
In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Ali Taha, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, waits backstage before a performance, at the ?El Sawy culture center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. "I'm ready to dance for free, especially with the Mawlawiyah dervishes,” said Taha. “While whirling I feel like a white bird flying in the sky."
In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Ali Taha, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, waits backstage before a performance, at the ?El Sawy culture center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. "I'm ready to dance for free, especially with the Mawlawiyah dervishes,” said Taha. “While whirling I feel like a white bird flying in the sky." 
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, jokes with Mahmoud Ahmed, 11, inside their dressing room, before a performance at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. Ahmed attends school and leaves the group temporary whenever he has to study for his exams.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, jokes with Mahmoud Ahmed, 11, inside their dressing room, before a performance at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. Ahmed attends school and leaves the group temporary whenever he has to study for his exams. 
In this Friday, June12, 2015 photo, Amr el-Toney, founder of the Mawlawiyah dervish dance troupe prepares songs ahead of a performance at the Darb 1718 cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. “We aim to keep the balance between the Sufi recitations and modern signing style, looking to leave our own heritage to the coming generations,” el-Toney said. “All of the words of our recitations are about loving God.”
In this Friday, June12, 2015 photo, Amr el-Toney, founder of the Mawlawiyah dervish dance troupe prepares songs ahead of a performance at the Darb 1718 cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. “We aim to keep the balance between the Sufi recitations and modern signing style, looking to leave our own heritage to the coming generations,” el-Toney said. “All of the words of our recitations are about loving God.” 
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish spins during a performance in collaboration with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe at the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish spins during a performance in collaboration with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe at the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. 
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Sayed Abdel Basir, center, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, prays inside a dressing room, before the group performs at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Sayed Abdel Basir, center, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, prays inside a dressing room, before the group performs at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job.
In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Mahmoud Rizk, spins during a performance held by the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, at the Darb 1718 cultural center, in Cairo, Egypt. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims perform the Hajj pilgrimage by ritually circling the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Mahmoud Rizk, spins during a performance held by the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, at the Darb 1718 cultural center, in Cairo, Egypt. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims perform the Hajj pilgrimage by ritually circling the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, musicians play tambourines during a performance in collaboration with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe at the ?El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with whirling dervishes as the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, musicians play tambourines during a performance in collaboration with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe at the ?El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with whirling dervishes as the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.  
In this Saturday, May 30, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes members of the Al-Tannura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spin during a performance at the 15th century Ghouri Palace, in Cairo, Egypt. Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In this Saturday, May 30, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes members of the Al-Tannura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spin during a performance at the 15th century Ghouri Palace, in Cairo, Egypt. Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes memebers of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, take a 'selfie' in a dressing room, before their performance at the ?El Sawy culture center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes memebers of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, take a 'selfie' in a dressing room, before their performance at the ?El Sawy culture center in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers themselves earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. 
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish part of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, spins during a performance at the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish part of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, spins during a performance at the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. 
In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Ali Taha, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, poses for a photograph backstage before a performance, at the ?El Sawy culture center, in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. "I'm ready to dance for free, especially with the Mawlawiyah dervishes,” said Taha. “While whirling I feel like a white bird flying in the sky."
In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Ali Taha, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, poses for a photograph backstage before a performance, at the ?El Sawy culture center, in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. "I'm ready to dance for free, especially with the Mawlawiyah dervishes,” said Taha. “While whirling I feel like a white bird flying in the sky." 
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spins the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with the Whirling Dervishes the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish with the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe spins the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many visitors to Cairo are familiar with the Whirling Dervishes the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.  
In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 photo, Amr el-Toney, center, founder of the Mawlawiyah dervish dance troupe, directs dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, at the El Sawy culture center in Cairo, Egypt. “We aim to keep the balance between the Sufi recitations and modern signing style, looking to leave our own heritage to the coming generations,” el-Toney says. “All of the words of our recitations are about loving God.”
In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 photo, Amr el-Toney, center, founder of the Mawlawiyah dervish dance troupe, directs dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, at the El Sawy culture center in Cairo, Egypt. “We aim to keep the balance between the Sufi recitations and modern signing style, looking to leave our own heritage to the coming generations,” el-Toney says. “All of the words of our recitations are about loving God.” 
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, interacts with the audience, during a performance at the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many Egyptians and visitors to Cairo are familiar with the Whirling Dervishes as the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God.
In this Thursday, April 30, 2015 photo, a whirling dervish from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, interacts with the audience, during a performance at the El Dammah Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. Many Egyptians and visitors to Cairo are familiar with the Whirling Dervishes as the stylized spinning dancers who perform across the city at cultural centers, cruise ships, hotels and weddings. The art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. 
In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, from left to right, Mahmoud Rizk, Ali Taha, Ahmed Elhely, and Sayed Abdel Basir, laugh after a performance, at the Darb 1718culture center, in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job.
In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, from left to right, Mahmoud Rizk, Ali Taha, Ahmed Elhely, and Sayed Abdel Basir, laugh after a performance, at the Darb 1718culture center, in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. 
In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, from right to left, Mahmoud Rizk, Ali Taha, and Sayed Abdel Basir, ride their motorbikes as they leave a performance at the Darb 1718 culture center, in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job.
In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, whirling dervishes from the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, from right to left, Mahmoud Rizk, Ali Taha, and Sayed Abdel Basir, ride their motorbikes as they leave a performance at the Darb 1718 culture center, in Cairo, Egypt. The dancers earn between 100 and 250 Egyptian pounds (between $13 and $32) per performance. But many of them describe it as far more than just a job. 
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Mahmoud Rizk, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, adjusts his "sikke," a brown tall felt cap made of camel wool, backstage before a performance, at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The Whirling Dervishes art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In this Thursday, April 23, 2015 photo, whirling dervish Mahmoud Rizk, a member of the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe, adjusts his "sikke," a brown tall felt cap made of camel wool, backstage before a performance, at the ?El Sawy cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. The Whirling Dervishes art form draws its roots from the ecstatic movements of Sufi Muslim mystics seeking a state of delirious oneness with God. Religious devotion is at the heart of almost everything. The spinning of the dervish dancers is partially meant to symbolize the way Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj pilgrimage ritually circle the cube-shaped Kabaa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.