A "dervish" refers to a member of a Sufi religious order known for their ascetic lifestyle and practices. Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes spiritual closeness to Allah through meditation, chanting, and dance. Dervishes often engage in rituals that express their devotion and seek to achieve a state of spiritual ecstasy. One of the most famous types of dervishes are the Whirling Dervishes, who perform a spinning dance as a form of meditation. This dance symbolizes the spiritual journey of the soul and aims to achieve a connection with the divine. The practice is particularly associated with the teachings of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a renowned Sufi poet and philosopher.