ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dervish

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen someone spinning around and around in a long dress or a robe? That person is called a dervish!

A dervish is someone who follows a certain religious tradition called Sufism. Sufism is a way of practicing Islam that focuses on getting closer to God through spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, and chanting.

Dervishes often wear long robes and hats that spin and flow around them as they dance or spin. The spinning is called "whirling" and it is a form of meditation that is meant to bring them closer to God.

The spinning is a way for dervishes to lose themselves in the moment and forget about everything else in the world, including their own ego or sense of self. It helps them focus completely on their spiritual beliefs and become more connected to God.

So, a dervish is someone who practices Sufism and uses spinning as a way to meditate and connect with God. It might look silly or strange to some people, but it's an important part of their spiritual practice.