Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Hagia Sophia
A former Orthodox Patriarchal basilica between 360 to 1453, and later a mosque from 1453 to 1931, the Hagia Sophia has been transformed to a museum since 1935. Undergoing various stages of reconstruction, improvements, and more recently conservation, the Hagia Sophia is far from save due to its deteriorating structure and increasing humidity from rising ground water that weakens the stone work and paint. More funds and work is needed with the last taking place on 2006.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
The Mevlewi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a “dance” and musical ceremony known as the Sema, which involves whirling, from which the order acquired its nickname the Whirling Dervishes. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love towards “Perfection”. The Sema is credited to the Mevlewi founder, Rumi, who heard the dhikr “la elaha ella’llah” which filled him with happiness that he stretched out both arms and spun in a circle.
Oranges – from the Haouz Plains to Marrakech
Being a major orange producing region, the Haouz Plains that surrounds Marrakech provides the city with abundance oranges that are characteristics of orange juice carts in Djamaa el Fna. Being a predominantly Muslim nation, the Moroccans have created a variety of some of the freshest natural fruit juices and shakes that are nutritious, refreshing and affordable.
Djamaa el Fna and Kautoubia Mosque
Famed for the Djamaa el Fna with its vibrant souk that displays a labyrinths of Moroccan craft and wares by day and a mesmerizing scene of life drama that unfolds by night, Marrakesh is a place that drives one’s senses into overdrive mode with its heady mix of sound and colours, pungent smells of goats and camels, lingering sensuous scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, and tantalizing tastes.
Ramadhan Djamma el Fna
Although the focus of Ramadhan – the Islamic month of fasting that involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, smoking and other vices between sunrise and sunset – is spiritual, many cultures place a surprising emphasis on food during this holy month. Likewise, with improved economic standings, throes of tourist and an unsatisfiable appetite, food stalls selling the traditional Harira – a cheap and hearty lentil and tomato soup – in Morocco’s famed souk is thining.
The Snake Charmer and Flute Seller
Regardless of melody produced by the snake charmer’s pungi or the flute seller’s flute, the serpent that emerges from the dark creaves if its basket is not able to hear. Hence, snake charming is a practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument and an art handed down by lineage of understanding the snakes natural attributes to create a performance.