Contemporary dhikr: Various Presentations of Sudan Religious Expresions

This article describes the dhikr practices in the Northern Sudan. It consists in various ecstatic prayers, dances, songs and litanies, in which God’s names are being repeated many times. These practices are well known all over the Muslim world. While in Europe they are popular called “dervish dances”. First, the role and fundamental — “classical” elements of the ritual are explained — in context of Muslim world and the Sudan alike. Afterwards the description of the dhikr is presented. The author — both being eye-witness of these practices and conducting interviews about them, gives descriptions of two different versions of the rite. In the second part of the article there is a confrontation of common and dissimilar items of both practices and a try for their interpretation. The text shows a complex role and different contexts of the dhikr in religious life of Sudanese society. It also portrays different forms, which this rite can adobe and strength of its expression.9010