ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sama (Sufism)

Sama is a special kind of music and dancing that some people who follow Sufism like to do. Sufism is a kind of spiritual path that some Muslims follow to get closer to God.

When people do sama, they sit or stand in a circle and listen to music played by musicians called qawwals. The qawwals sing songs with religious and spiritual meanings, and the people in the circle often sing along with them.

As the music plays, the people might start to move around or sway their bodies, kind of like dancing. They might close their eyes and try to focus on the words and the feelings that the music inspires in them.

People who do sama believe that it helps them connect with God and the universe. They feel like the music and the dancing help them let go of their worldly worries and become more spiritual.

Overall, sama is a way for some people who follow Sufism to express their devotion and feel more connected to something bigger than themselves.