Alevi-Bektaşi semah

Summary

Alevi-Bektaşi semah joins devotional music, sung poetry and patterned movement within the wider life of cem ritual. It is a religious and communal practice, not simply a folk dance with an interchangeable soundtrack. Saz-accompanied singing and participants' coordinated motion carry meanings associated with spiritual relationship, unity and cyclical life. Local forms differ in rhythm, melody and movement. The shared name therefore describes related practices sustained by communities, while their particular histories and understandings deserve attention. Men and women participate together in the documented tradition.

Contemporary and trending

Semah continues through cemevis, family learning, community musicians, organized courses and other forms of transmission. The Alevi community in Berlin, for example, describes its religious meaning and offers learning for different age groups. That is concrete evidence of a living diaspora practice rather than only remembrance of a distant homeland. Public presentations and ritual practice can be understood differently by different communities. The meaningful distinction is the relationship to belief and social obligation, not whether an observer finds the movement visually attractive. Learning its context improves musical understanding.

History

The practice belongs to the intertwined histories of Alevi and Bektaşi religious life, oral teaching, poetry and community gathering. Poets, musicians and spiritual authorities helped carry knowledge across generations and local networks. Migration and urbanization changed where communities could gather, while recordings circulated related devotional repertories more widely. Formal heritage recognition added another form of visibility. These developments do not reduce the practice to a preserved relic or a concert genre. Its history includes the continuing negotiation of how sacred knowledge should be learned, enacted and presented to others.

Musical characteristics

Listen to the connection between sung words, saz phrasing, rhythmic change and the participants' motion. The musical role requires sensitivity to the ritual's progression as well as instrumental competence. Local semahs may unfold through contrasting tempos or sections, and the gesture that seems simplest to a spectator can depend on closely learned timing. Poetry and melody work together rather than competing for attention. An audio recording can illuminate timbre and phrase, but video or explanation from practitioners may be necessary to understand how the music functions within the complete occasion.

Geography and communities

The strongest landscape includes central and eastern Anatolian Alevi-Bektaşi communities, with rural–urban networks extending through Ankara, Istanbul and other cities. It is not a claim that every resident in those areas participates. Broad overlapping fields convey a distributed community culture rather than tiny circles around Sivas and Tunceli. Germany forms a substantial detached landscape through established community institutions and families. This geography follows social transmission and religious belonging, avoiding the assumption that the population of a national capital alone determines the practice's intensity.

Artists

Zakirs and other knowledgeable community musicians are the central practitioners, alongside the participants and spiritual leaders who sustain the ritual. Ali Ekber Çiçek's recorded devotional song offers an accessible neighboring route into the close relationship between saz, poetry and belief. It should not be mistaken for a documentary recording of every semah form. Arif Sağ and other prominent interpreters connect wider audiences with Alevi musical resources, while their broader catalogues cross settings and categories. Listening with community commentary helps preserve those distinctions without making the tradition inaccessible.

Representative performances

These recordings offer listening examples of the genre. Notes identify the performance setting and any adaptation or mixed repertoire.

MuGlobe listening profile

Repertoire	Field use	Notes
traditional	regional	Comprehensive catalogue; recent discovery is prioritized and worthwhile older music remains playable. Preserve specific recording contexts and dates.

MuGlobe representative performances

Artist	Performance / song / title	Embedded player URL	Notes	Repertoire kind	Repertoire date	Recording date	Format	Opening	Places	Fit	Evidence	Review note	MuGlobe favorite	Current hit	Authentic
Kağıthane Cem Evi Semah Ekibi	Erzincan Kırklar Semahı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/UNfRDnyPHhM	A named cemevi ensemble presenting an Erzincan semah. A staged presentation of devotional movement and music, not evidence of an entire cem ritual.	traditional	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	pending	Existing recording	Legacy unscoped accepted recording retained; migration does not assert new dates or per-country variants. Existing musical notes and native citations are preserved.	false	false	false
Tolga Sağ and accompanying ensemble	Hubyar Semahı — Büyük Alevi Kurultayı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/N7xThrGC4jw	The source identifies Sağ singing Yüce Dağ Başında Bir Kuş Uçurdum in a public Alevi gathering, offering a musical counterpart to the semah dance-group example.	traditional	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	pending	Existing recording	Legacy unscoped accepted recording retained; migration does not assert new dates or per-country variants. Existing musical notes and native citations are preserved.	false	false	false
Aydos Studio (YouTube channel)	Aydos Studio - ÇÛN (Alevi Bektaşi Deyişi - Semahı) | Ulu Ozanlar 2	https://www.youtube.com/embed/e-Iv6t-ZY5w	Selected by Ed for Alevi-Bektaşi semah; embedded playback checked 18 October 2026. Artist attribution is the channel credit; see the video title for performer details.	traditional	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	pending	Existing recording	Legacy unscoped accepted recording retained; migration does not assert new dates or per-country variants. Existing musical notes and native citations are preserved.	false	false	false
Ali Eren Yüksel	Yemen Ellerinden Gelen Turnalar - Ali Eren Yüksel (Live Performance) #playlist #pirsultanabdal	https://www.youtube.com/embed/kFmex3j6j3E	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Ali Eren Yüksel. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2026-09-15; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Ali Eren Yüksel. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Hubyar community semah performers	Hubyar Semahı - Hubyar Cem	https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fn4MJhkTCXI	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher identifies a Hubyar village Bekülü cem in the1990s; the2026 upload is not a new ritual session. Video publication: 2026-06-14; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	1990/1999	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher identifies a Hubyar village Bekülü cem in the1990s; the2026 upload is not a new ritual session.	false	false	false
Bayramtepe village cemevi semah performers	Semah (Sivas - Hafik / Bayramtepe Köyü Cem Evi Açılışı - 07.06.2025)	https://www.youtube.com/embed/qvMY-0cmYl0	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Bayramtepe village, Hafik/Sivas, cemevi opening7 June2025; focused semah performance, not the entire ceremony. Video publication: 2026-05-23; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	2025-06-07	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Bayramtepe village, Hafik/Sivas, cemevi opening7 June2025; focused semah performance, not the entire ceremony.	false	false	false
Mücahit Akdoğan	Cemi Kuşlar - Hubyar Semahı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/WoSMusrqNJ0	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Label credits Mücahit Akdoğan's2026 Cemi Kuşlar / Hubyar Semahı setting, with Şah Hatayi text. New setting is distinguished from archive ritual recordings. Video publication: 2026-04-13; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	2026-04-11	unknown	audio	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Label credits Mücahit Akdoğan's2026 Cemi Kuşlar / Hubyar Semahı setting, with Şah Hatayi text. New setting is distinguished from archive ritual recordings.	false	false	false
Semah performers (publisher: Sami Eymur)	Tokat Semahı - Hubyar Semahı - Almus Semahı - Alevi #alevi #tokatalevi #semah #hubyar #cem	https://www.youtube.com/embed/8rAblLyWScU	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Sami Eymur. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2025-10-30; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Sami Eymur. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Adıyaman Karapınar Cemevi semah performers	Adıyaman Karapınar Cem Evi ( Semah ) #semah #cem #cemevi	https://www.youtube.com/embed/futbmDdLxJg	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: BAĞLAMACI MERDAN. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2025-10-13; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: BAĞLAMACI MERDAN. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Garip Dede Dergahı semah performers	Garip Dede Dervish Lodge Semah / Istanbul #alevi #cemevi	https://www.youtube.com/embed/oczwARVeGAE	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: YÜKSEL MEDYA. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2025-09-07; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: YÜKSEL MEDYA. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Maltepe Cemevi semah group	14 haziran 2025 maltepe cem evi semah ekibi eski dostlar kısa semah	https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1SIhUO4gLI	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Maltepe Cemevi ensemble on14 June2025. The shorter complete musical selection is retained instead of the longer same-event upload. Video publication: 2025-06-14; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	2025-06-14	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Maltepe Cemevi ensemble on14 June2025. The shorter complete musical selection is retained instead of the longer same-event upload.	false	false	false
Cologne Alevi Cultural Centre cemevi community	AKM - CEMEVİ KÖLN'DE YÜRÜTÜLEN HIZIR CEMİ'NDE YOL AŞKINA SEMAH DÖNÜLDÜ	https://www.youtube.com/embed/vq1-3vHCIts	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Cologne Alevi cultural-centre Hızır cem performance; diaspora venue is distinguished from the tradition's Turkish origins. Video publication: 2025-02-21; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey; country:Germany	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Cologne Alevi cultural-centre Hızır cem performance; diaspora venue is distinguished from the tradition's Turkish origins.	false	false	false
İstanbul Cemevi 12 Hizmetçileri	İstanbul Cemevi 12 Hizmetçileri #semah	https://www.youtube.com/embed/nH2sdRIymnk	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: İstanbul Cemevi Eğitim ve Kültür Vakfı. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2025-01-02; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: İstanbul Cemevi Eğitim ve Kültür Vakfı. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Uğur Mumcu Cemevi Semah group	Kırat Semahı - Uğurmumcu Cem Evi Semah Grubu	https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5hVQmpw90M	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Uğur Mumcu Cemevi group performs Kırat Semahı; named community presentation rather than unrelated instrumental music. Video publication: 2024-02-25; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Uğur Mumcu Cemevi group performs Kırat Semahı; named community presentation rather than unrelated instrumental music.	false	false	false
Sivas Yıldızeli Doğanlı village association semah group	Sivas Yıldızeli doğanlı köyü derneği semah ekibi. Malatya kırklar semahı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/BJ1JAF_iTMY	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Abbas Akgül. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2023-01-25; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Abbas Akgül. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Semah performers (publisher: Türkü Diyarı Arguvan)	Anadolu Alevi Kültürü - Semah	https://www.youtube.com/embed/cxJPxn_lopA	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Türkü Diyarı Arguvan. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2020-08-06; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Türkü Diyarı Arguvan. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Semah performers (publisher: Deniz İlker Şahin)	Malatya Arguvan Bozok Semahı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/3BhYmVJL6L0	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Deniz İlker Şahin. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2019-12-25; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Deniz İlker Şahin. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Garip Dede Dergahı semah performers	Tokat Hubyar Semahı - Garip Dede Dergahı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/4BRjBa4Vkkg	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Emrah Sakıcı (KeKe). The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2019-03-01; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Emrah Sakıcı (KeKe). The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Garip Dede Dergahı youth; zakirs Aydın Aydın and Abdullah Aslan	GARİP DEDE DERGAHI GENÇLİĞİ ~ HIZIR SEMAHI	https://www.youtube.com/embed/zw0RWDp64rk	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Emrah Sakıcı (KeKe). The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2019-01-31; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Emrah Sakıcı (KeKe). The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Ersin Perçin	Hubyar Semahı	https://www.youtube.com/embed/cQL-o2Tb8AI	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Ersin Perçin - Topic. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2018-10-14; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	audio	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Ersin Perçin - Topic. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Semah performers (publisher: Tamer Kaya)	(*)Kırklar Semahı ,Tokat ve Hubyar Semahı - 3 Semah bir arada (Didim Cemevi) ,,,	https://www.youtube.com/embed/IFwsKN9k77A	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Tamer Kaya. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2015-11-27; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Tamer Kaya. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Semah performers (publisher: Selami CAN)	TOKAT HUBYAR SEMAHI	https://www.youtube.com/embed/f3zlwc9MjCg	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Selami CAN. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2012-08-14; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Selami CAN. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Semah performers (publisher: Abdullah Oral)	SDC15505 turnalar semahi.AVI	https://www.youtube.com/embed/_xxdetkrKmk	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Abdullah Oral. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented. Video publication: 2010-10-24; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher: Abdullah Oral. The specific work, local-language title and performance context are retained; original/session dates remain unknown unless explicitly documented.	false	false	false
Şengül Korkut and Oğuz Tatar	Kırklar Semahı - Şengül Korkut & Oğuz Tatar	https://www.youtube.com/embed/PGHZUXToghU	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher identifies Şengül Korkut and Oğuz Tatar at Güneş TV / Piramit Müzik Merkezi24 January2009. Video publication: 2009-01-29; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 19 October 2026.	traditional	unknown	2009-01-24	live	unknown	country:Turkey	supported	Recording/context source	A specifically named Alevi-Bektaşi semah melody or community performance. Cem/dergah and concert settings are distinguished; general bağlama music, halay and instruction were not blanket-approved. Publisher identifies Şengül Korkut and Oğuz Tatar at Güneş TV / Piramit Müzik Merkezi24 January2009.	false	false	false

Related genres

Âşıklık and Turkish folk repertories overlap through poets, instruments and listeners, but semah's ritual role remains specific. Mevlevi ayin and Sema belong to a different religious and musical institutional history despite superficially similar names or turning movement. Concert adaptations provide another related setting whose purpose must be understood on its own terms. The category is most useful when it keeps belief, poetry, music and participation connected, allowing a listener to hear an expressive practice whose cultural identity exceeds the sound of any single instrument.

Hotspot mushrooms

Distributed Alevi-Bektaşi community practice across central/eastern Anatolia and migration networks, with Germany a substantial living continuation. Cultural affinity is not uniform territorial population prevalence.

These fields are editorial illustrations of musical affinity and cultural reach, not listener statistics. Radius marks the zero edge of the fade; overlapping fields of this genre combine by maximum.

MuGlobe hotspot mushrooms

ID	Location	Latitude	Longitude	Radius (km)	Strength	Notes
semah-central-eastern	Central–eastern Anatolian Semah community landscape	39	37.5	1000	1	Rural communities, regional towns and linked religious networks.
semah-western-migration	Western Turkish Semah community landscape	40	29.5	850	0.65	Urban cemevis and internal migration relationships.
semah-german-community	German Alevi Semah community landscape	51	9	850	0.75	Living cemevi, family and learning networks.