[travel] Psychedelic Islam
Apr. 20th, 2009 11:29 pmOne sect of Islam, the Sufis, is much more mystical than the other prevailing sects of Islam. They emphasize music and dance as a way of gaining a greater emotional connection with Allah. One particular group of Sufis (aka the "Whirling Dervishes") uses repetitive spinning to achieve a trance state for an even stronger connection. This spinning is usually done to music involving a group of drummers and a reed flute.
While I'm guessing the costumes and the spinning were glammed up for tourists, the look is quite good and at times rather kitschy.
So, let's review:
- Drum circles
- Crazy colorful costumes
- Spinning something as a performance
- Inducing trance states through ecstatic dance
Sounds like Burning Man to me.
I think a psychedelic revival of Sufi dancing should be the next big thing to hit Burning Man. I'm thinking blacklight-sensitive op-art robes... or perhaps a kevlar robe with a flame wick sewn to the bottom so that you can be a flaming whiling dervish.

While I'm guessing the costumes and the spinning were glammed up for tourists, the look is quite good and at times rather kitschy.
So, let's review:
- Drum circles
- Crazy colorful costumes
- Spinning something as a performance
- Inducing trance states through ecstatic dance
Sounds like Burning Man to me.
I think a psychedelic revival of Sufi dancing should be the next big thing to hit Burning Man. I'm thinking blacklight-sensitive op-art robes... or perhaps a kevlar robe with a flame wick sewn to the bottom so that you can be a flaming whiling dervish.
