A mesmerising video of a Sufi dancer is going viral on social media, capturing the traditional Sufi dance with a fiery twist. The clip shows a dancer performing the spiritual whirling ritual known as Sama with her skirt set on fire. The visual of the dancer spinning with flames at the edge of her skirt has netizens in awe.
The undated video is an old recording, but that doesn’t take away the breathtaking grace and moves of the dancer.Â
Watch The Video Here:
Sama Sufi Dance: A Spiritual Dance FormÂ
Sama is a meditation and spiritually grounded dance practice that has its roots in the Islamic mystical tradition of Sufism. It is a traditional Persian dance form, deeply rooted in sufi mystism. Its origins can be found in the practice of Dhikr, which is the remembrance of the divine. Sama has been traditionally played in a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, sometimes joined by chanting, poetry, and the rhythmic sound of the ney (reed flute), which symbolises the divine breath and helps in creating an atmosphere that encourages inner peace.
Traditionally, there was no role for fire in the sama ritual. Yet in recent years, fire has sometimes been used in stage or cultural performances. During such performances, the hem of the dancer’s skirts looks visually stunning as they whirl through the air. This adaptation, while charming, is more for theatrical flair than spiritual intent. Â
Sama is steeped in symbolism. The whirling dervishes rotate from right to left, emulating the movement of stars and planets. The ritual dress, the music played on symbolic instruments like the ney or the kütab, and the recitation of hymns and poetry all direct practitioners into fanaa, annihilation of self within God.
Sama is much more than a mere performance; it is a spiritual practice working toward an inner connection, harmony, and humility, defined within a timeless rhythm of divine search through rhythm, movement, and remembrance.
