The artification of whirling derviches in France between the religious and the artistic

Utilizing the theoretical framework of artification, this study analyzes the transformation of Sufi dance from a traditional religious practice to a staged artistic performance. Ethnographic observations and case studies conducted between 2018 and 2023 have identified four ideal types of discourse surrounding Sufi dance, ranging from traditional discourses to total artification, where religious meaning is displaced by artistic and aesthetic purposes. The article also examines the methods of teaching spinning movements, Sufi workshop audiences, and marketing strategies used by artists to gain recognition in both religious and artistic fields. Finally, the study explores the tension between traditional authority and dancers' professional careers outside Sufi institutions. This research illuminates the complex dynamics of competition and cooperation that shape the relationship between art and spirituality within the Sufi tradition in contemporary France. En utilisant le cadre theorique de l'artification, cet article analyse la transformation de la danse soufie d'une pratique religieuse traditionnelle a une performance artistique sur scene. A travers des observations ethnographiques et des etudes de cas menees entre 2018 et 2022, quatre types ideaux de discours entourant la danse soufie sont identifies, allant des discours traditionnels a l'artification totale, ou le sens religieux est remplace par des objectifs artistiques et esthetiques. L'article examine egalement les methodes d'enseignement des mouvements de rotation, les publics des ateliers soufis et les strategies de marketing utilisees par les artistes pour gagner en reconnaissance dans les domaines religieux et artistique. Enfin, l'etude explore la tension entre l'autorite traditionnelle et la legitimite professionnelle des danseurs en dehors des institutions soufies. Cette recherche met en lumiere les dynamiques complexes de competition et de cooperation qui faconnent la relation entre l'art et la spiritualite au sein de la tradition soufie en France contemporaine.

Automated summary

Using the theoretical framework of artification, this study analyzes the transformation of Sufi dance from a traditional religious practice to a staged artistic performance. Through ethnographic observations and case studies conducted between 2018 and 2023, four ideal types of discourse surrounding Sufi dance are identified, ranging from traditional discourses to total artification, where religious meaning is displaced by artistic and aesthetic purposes. The article also examines the methods of teaching spinning movements, Sufi workshop audiences, and marketing strategies used by artists to gain recognition in both religious and artistic fields. Finally, the study explores the tension between traditional authority and dancers' professional careers outside Sufi institutions. This research illuminates the complex dynamics of competition and cooperation that shape the relationship between art and spirituality within the Sufi tradition in contemporary France.