GLOSSARY:

• Sufi: A follower of Sufism, which is the mystical Islamic belief system focused on the inward search for God's love and knowledge.

• Sema: A sacred Sufi ritual of whirling dance, often performed as a form of devotion.

• Ashik: In Turkish culture, an ashik is a folk poet and musician who typically plays the saz (a stringed instrument) and sings songs that often revolve around love, nature, and spirituality. Literally means somebody fallen into a mad love.

• Sohbet: In Sufism, "Sohbet" refers to spiritual conversation or discourse between a spiritual teacher (or Sufi master) and their disciples.

• Meshk: A Turkish word meaning "training" or "exercise," in the context of Sufi spiritual refers to a gathering or event in which Sufis come together for spiritual practices and to experience states of deep devotion and love for the divine, often described as "ashk" or "ishq," which represents intense, passionate love. The aim of a Meshk is to help participants connect with their inner selves and the divine through a shared spiritual experience. It is a way to cultivate and express the love and longing for the divine, which is a central theme in Sufi mysticism. Meshk can be a deeply transformative and emotional experience for those who participate.

• Beloved: A term commonly used in Sufi poetry to refer to the Divine.

• Alevi: A branch of Islam with a distinct set of beliefs and practices, including the Semah ritual and a focus on the spiritual significance of "Ali," the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. 

• Bektashi: A Sufi order with Alevi beliefs, known for their unique rituals and practices.

• Semah: The Alevi and Bektashi form of spiritual dance, often performed in a group setting.

• Cem: A spiritual gathering in Alevi and Bektashi traditions, incorporating rituals, music, and communal worship for spiritual connection and community building.

• Gulistan: "Gulistan" (Rose Garden) is often used metaphorically in Turkish and Persian Sufi literature to symbolize a place of beauty, spiritual growth, and enlightenment. It represents a metaphorical garden where the soul can blossom and flourish, much like a rose in a lush garden. 

Note on "ch" and "sh" in Turkish:

• "Ch": The "ch" sound is typically represented by the letter "ç" in Turkish. For example, "Chatalkaya" would be written as "Çatalkaya."

• "Sh": The "sh" sound is typically represented by the letter "ş" in Turkish. For example, "Sherif" would be written as "Şerif."

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THIS EVENT 

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is organized by:

ANA+, as part of the In ASHIK SERIES program. UNESCO commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of poet-musician-bard Ashik Veysel in 2023. Turkey recognized this year as the year of Ashik Veysel. ANA+ commits to organizing concerts, research projects, lectures, film screenings, and workshops on Ashik Veysel and Ashik Culture. Recognizing the diversity of ASHIK Tradition in Anatolia, ANA+ will also explore the lineage of Women Ashiks; Ashik cultures in Armenian, Greek, Kurdish, and other communities, past and present. ANA+ is an interdisciplinary platform for events+research+education, bringing diverse arts and cultures of Anatolia to the Bay Area and beyond.

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ASHIK SERIES program is partially funded by the California Arts Council and The Center for Cultural Power.

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This event's revenue is covering the expenses of Sherif Baba and 5 dervishes' US trip from Turkey. All the organization work by ANA+ and a collective of his lovers is dedicated to bringing this esoteric/ancestral tradition to the US. If you wish to become a patron of our programs, please contact us so that we can offer more sponsorships to low-income artists and bring them more often to the US.