Turkey: A Turkish dervish. Photo by Jean Pascal Sebah (1872 - 6 June 1947), c. 1920-1930

Turkey: A Turkish dervish. Photo by Jean Pascal Sebah (1872 - 6 June 1947), c. 1920-1930.

A dervish/darvish/darwish in Islam is a believer or religious mendicant in a Sufi fraternity (tariqah) who has chosen material poverty. Their focus is on the universal values of love and service, to try and reach God through abandoning ego. In many Sufi orders, a dervish is known practice dhikr (Islamic meditation) through physical exertions to attain an ecstatic trance.

In folklore, dervishes are often credited with the ability to perform miracles and ascribed supernatural powers.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Library of Congress

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

SOUTH SUDAN