14. A Chechen 'zikr'

A zikr or dikhr is a religious ceremony practiced by certain Sufi Moslems around the world. Its most famous manifestation is probably the ceremony carried out by the so-called "whirling dervishes" in Turkey - a major tourist attraction in Istanbul and in Konya. Like their fellow zikr-practitioners, these Chechens aim to enter a trance-like state through mental and physical exhaustion, a state which will bring them closer to God. The powerful, fast rhythm, combined with the repetitive chanting and strong breathing, and with the spinning, circular movement, are particularly propitious. This is not "music", strictly speaking, but it bears all its hallmarks, and the result is amazing!
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Two other interesting examples:
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