Sama (Sufism)

Sama (Turkish: Sema, Persian and Arabic: سَمَاع‎ - samā‘^un) is a Sufi ceremony performed as dhikr. Sama means "listening", while dhikr means "remembrance". These rituals often includes singing, playing instruments, dancing, recitation of poetry and prayers, wearing symbolic attire, and other rituals. It is a particularly popular form of worship in the Chishti order of the Indian subcontinent.

In 2008, UNESCO confirmed the "The Mevlevi Sama Ceremony" of Turkey as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Etymology

This term stems from the root-verb meaning acceptance by tradition, from which derives the words سَمْع (sam‘^un) and اِسْتِمَاع (’istimā‘^un, listening), often paired with نَقْل (naql^un) and تَقْلِيد (taqlīd^un, tradition). It may have been in use since the 10th century to refer to a type of dhikr (remembrance of God), a spiritual concert, a ceremony used by various Sufi orders, particularly the Chishti order of the sub-continent. It often involves prayer, song and dance.

Sema (disambiguation)

Sema may refer to:

Given name

Other uses

SEMA may refer to:

Sumi Naga

The Sumi Naga is one of the major Naga peoples in Nagaland, India. The Sumis mainly inhabit the Zunheboto district, although many have spread out and inhabit in almost all the other districts within Nagaland. Many go outside Nagaland for education and work.

The Sumi are one of the most united and most aggressive Naga nations. Since times immemorial, other Nagas have feared the Sumi. Despite their ferocity and aggressive nature in warfare, the Sumi are known for their simplicity and honesty.

The Sumis practised headhunting like other Naga peoples before the arrival of the Christian missionaries and their subsequent conversion to Christianity. Anthropological study of the Sumi is documented in the book The Sema Nagas by J. H. Hutton, who was a Professor of Social Anthropology in the University of Cambridge. The Sumi is one of the recognised scheduled tribes of India.

Population

According to the 2011 census of India, Sumi Nagas number around 300000 in population comprsing Dimapur. Dimapur is commercial city of Nagaland. Dimapur district is mostly dominated by Sumi's.