European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 29, 1969, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Photos by Henry Angelo Castrillon around and around they go the ancient order of whirling dervishes. Dervish Sheik holds Center stage As performer orbit Hall. Wednesday january 29, 1969 the stars and stripes awaiting their turn dervishes watch Brothers gyrate. Murmuring sacred phrases in a monotonous chant the whirling dervishes Circle the floor of the Hall. Spectators who crowd the sidelines have come from afar to watch this brotherhood of islamic religious mystics dressed in White blouses voluminous skirts and towering camels hair hats perform a ritual As old As the crusades. First there is the Wail of a flute and As the dervishes Circle they turn pivoting on the left foot. Brass cymbals and Drums join in As the Tempo increases and the dervishes begin to whirl faster and faster their skirts billowing their eyes closed right hands outstretched Palms upward left hands lowered with Palms downward. The whirling dervishes enjoy a reputation of piety among the moslem and it is said that the purpose of their spinning is to Sharpen their faculties to a Point where they can be said to see with the eyes of god hear with the ears of god speak with the Tongue of got and work with the hand of  this particular order of whirling dervishes was founded in the 11th Century in Kenya capital City of the seljuk turks who in ancient times battled mongol hordes and Frankish knights during the crusades. A recent whirling Dervish performance was witnessed by a group of Turkey based americans participating in the know Turkey program sponsored by Tus log det 29 personnel services. They watched the dervishes do their thing which for centuries has been a search for ecstasy and spiritual enlightenment. In recent years it has been recognized by the government As an Art form and an attraction to tourists. The americans found that Kenya is still the site of splendid mosques and slender minarets where interiors Are adorned with sky Blue tiles and decorated with incredibly ornate Geometric designs carved in Marble and inlaid with precious stones. It is there also that Meulana lies entombed in a Gigantic sarcophagus it was he who founded this Branch of the Dervish older in the Convent in which his disciples Shil contemplate. Charles e. Adelsen Page it