Whirling Dervish, Tanoura and Trottola dancers: A mystical dancer who stands between the material and cosmic worlds. His dance is part of a sacred ceremony iin which the dervish rotates in a precise rhythm. He represents the earth revolving on its axis while orbiting the sun. The purpose of the ritual whirling is for the dervish to empty himself of all distracting thoughts, placing him in trance; released from his body he conquers dizziness.
