Research Article

WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE

Number: 115 September 21, 2025
TR EN

WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE

Abstract

Orientalism has profoundly shaped historical scholarship as a discipline that seeks to explore the East in all its dimensions, making both positive and negative contributions. On the one hand, it has contributed to a better understanding of Eastern culture, knowledge and traditions in the Western world. On the other hand, it has been criticized for reinforcing stereotypical judgements, exoticizing perspectives and colonial narratives. This study examines how the sema rituals of the Mevlevi performed in the Galata Mevlevihane in the 19th century Ottoman Empire were observed by Westerners and interpreted through an Orientalist perspective. Through a comparative analysis based on travelogues and secondary literature, the sharp contrast between the deep spiritual mission of the Mevlevi order and the superficial perceptions of Western observers is highlighted. This study will not only contribute to the existing literature on the Mevlevi traditions but will also examine how these traditions were portrayed by Western observers in the 19th century. In previous research, Western observations of Mevlevi rituals in the Galata Mevlevihane during this period have often been either exclusively positive or exclusively negative. However, this study attempts to present both positive and negative interpretations together to provide a multifaceted analysis of Western perspectives and provide a clearer understanding of the true spiritual essence of Mevlevi rituals

Keywords

References

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  3. Bardakçı, Mehmet Necmettin. “Mevlânâ’ya Göre İnsanın Mahiyeti ve Kâmil İnsan Olma.” Erdem, (50), 1–14. doi:10.32704/erdem.2008.50.001.
  4. Bausani, Alessandro. Mevlâna Celaleddin Rumi’de Dini Düşünce. trans. İsmet Kayaoğlu. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 3 (1994).
  5. Bayard, Taylor. The Lands of the Saracen. New York: G. P. Putnam & co., 1856.
  6. Başbakanlık Cumhuriyet Arşivi (BCA) (1929). Yer 5-44-6, 12.09.1929, Dosya: 144-56.
  7. Başbakanlık Osmanlı Arşivi (BOA). (1290). A.MKT.MHM, H-22-06-1290, Place No: 461-85.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Ottoman Culture and Art, Late Modern Ottoman History

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 21, 2025

Submission Date

December 23, 2024

Acceptance Date

April 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: 115

APA
Karataş, B. (2025). WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE. Türk Kültürü Ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi, 115, 205-234. https://doi.org/10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855
AMA
1.Karataş B. WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE. Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi. 2025;(115):205-234. doi:10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855
Chicago
Karataş, Bahar. 2025. “WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE”. Türk Kültürü Ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi, nos. 115: 205-34. https://doi.org/10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855.
EndNote
Karataş B (September 1, 2025) WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE. Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi 115 205–234.
IEEE
[1]B. Karataş, “WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE”, Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi, no. 115, pp. 205–234, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855.
ISNAD
Karataş, Bahar. “WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE”. Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi. 115 (September 1, 2025): 205-234. https://doi.org/10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855.
JAMA
1.Karataş B. WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE. Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi. 2025;:205–234.
MLA
Karataş, Bahar. “WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE”. Türk Kültürü Ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi, no. 115, Sept. 2025, pp. 205-34, doi:10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855.
Vancouver
1.Bahar Karataş. WESTERN OBSERVATIONS OF THE MEVLEVI SEMA: NINETEENTH CENTURY REPORTS ON THE GALATA MEVLEVIHANE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORIENTALIST DISCOURSE. Türk Kültürü ve Hacı Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi. 2025 Sep. 1;(115):205-34. doi:10.60163/tkhcbva.1605855

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