The ritual turning of these dancers has been practised for over seven centuries. The Whirling Dervishes (DARE-vish-ez) are followers of the poet Rumi (ROO-mee), who believed that it is a fundamental condition of our existence to revolve, from the smallest cell to the planets and the farthest stars. Now interest in these spiritual performers is growing, and there are signs that the Turkish government (which has controlled when and where they whirl in public) may be encouraging the dervishes to teach others their art. Jean Battey Lewis visited them on a trip to Turkey. The dervishes are now giving a series of rare performances in the U.S. (9:00) ((ST
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