“The Mevlevi are a sub-order of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam… The Mevlevi place a strong emphasis on music, which sends the practitioner’s physical body into a slow dance of graceful and ecstatic turning” (Textbook, page 315). Music is a large part of the people’s traditions. It is also said that the Sema ceremony is very symolbi and allows one’s soul to have a passageway to god. This is one effect that the music has on the listeners body. Another effect would be that as they dance to the music they believe that they are receiving a blessing from god. Also, stated in the powerpoint that the music allows union with god which is why the music is a great impact to the people.
In relation to Gospel music, such as Amazing Grace; music is also very significant. The textbook states that the “melody and message of personal transformation” (page 288) is what the music is trying for the listener to achieve. The similarity between the two music pieces is that they have a strong personal connection to each listener. However, they do have their differences as well. One difference being the way the music is let out to the individuals. The Gospel music was sung by the vocalist while the Sema Ceremony had a lot of instruments and also in the video it showed the people dancing. So, the ceremony had a traditional dance to go along with it while gospel music usually does not.
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