SEMAH (pronounced sem-uh)Semah is considered an integral part of Alevi religious ceremonies, or Cems, and is a reli-gious practice. The origin of this practice goes back to the Shamanistic rituals of Turkishtribes, before their conversion to Islam. Over the centuries, these rituals became a uniqueblend of heterodox Islamic philosophy and the indigenous local traditions.
Among the rituals that will be performed are the Tahtaci Semahi (Semah of TahtaciTürkmens), which was researched years ago by Mr. Lüleci. Bacilar Semahi (Semah ofSisters) and Kilic Semahi (Semah of the Sword) are the two distinguished parts, since theyare rarely known outside of several rural tribes in Turkey.
Zafer Tosun - Baglama & Vocal ( [email protected] )Zafer was born in the province city of Malatya located in the Eastern Anatolian part ofTurkey. His ancestors come from a village called Seyh Hasan. He has been playingBaglama since he was six years old. He started taking saz courses at age 8 at a culture cen-ter. He started giving concerts and performances in middle school. Zafer graduated fromInönü University with a bachelor degree in Music and Education. He plays the piano, gui-tar and vocal choir. He was a student of professor Dr. Kadir Karkin. During his collegeyears he has done many concerts in Turkey. He continued his concert tours in Rochester,NY and in San Francisco, CA. After coming to the United States, he decided to branchinto computers. He graduated from San Jose State University in computer science.
Özden Öztoprak - Baglama & Vocal ( [email protected] )Özden was born in Ovacik Dersim, Tunceli. She completed her general education inOvacik and continued her education in Istanbul Teknik University. Starting at a veryyoung age she was involved in Folk Dance and authentic music. She participated in manycultural education performances. She had the opportunity to be taught by influential pro-fessors like Can Etili, Neriman Tüfekci, Yücel Pasmakci, Sendogan, and OrhanHakalmaz. Özden had the opportunity to perform on TRT, Turkish Radio Television.She came to the USA in 2004 and rapidly started performing in international festivalsincluding TAAC Monterey Art and Culture festival. She performed in San Franciscoworld music festival in 2005 and 2006. Özden lives in San Francisco and continues tostudy and learn about Alevi Dervis music. Currently she is working on her first CD.
Yöre Folk Dance Ensemble Dancers ( www.yoredance.org )Türev Acar, Deniz Askin, Merter Bozkurt, Nilden Çelebi, Ali Özer Ercan, Hüsamettin Erciyes,
Funda Erdin, Özge Islegen, Ezerhan Kadioglu, Nevra Kadioglu, Ferda Mehmet, Emine Ülkü
Saritas, Dilek Seren, Uygar Sümbül, Demet Ulusen.
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MUSICBaglama & Vocal : Zafer Tosun & Özden Öztoprak
Gönül Ne Gezersin | Sah Hatayi - HorosanDegme Felek Degme | Asik Özlemi - Amasya
Gönül Arzeyledi | Kul Mustafa - Malatya
YA HIZIR SEMAHIArguvan, Igdir - Eastern Anotolia
Researched by : Mehpare AskinMusic : Traditional
Music Performed by : Zakir Süleyman Sahin
MUSICBaglama & Vocal : Zafer Tosun & Özden Öztoprak
Gel Efendim | Pir Sultan Abdal - SivasBu Gün Bize Pir Geldi | Sah Hatayi - Erzincan
DOGU SEMAHIDersim, Tunceli - Southeastern Anotolia
Researched by : Ahmet LüleciArranged & Staged by : Ahmet Lüleci
Music : TraditionalMusic Performed by : Songül Karli
PRODUCTION STAFF
Project Art Director / Ahmet Lüleci
Project Manager & Coordinator / Mehpare Askin
Rehearsal Director / Emine Ülkü Saritas
Lighting & Sound / Julia Morgan Center of the Arts staff
ANADOLU’DA SEMAHLAR
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TAHTACI SEMAHIKirtil, Silifke - Southern & Western Anatolia
Researched by : Ahmet Lüleci Music : Traditional
Music Performed by : Bengi Baglama Üçlüsü
MUSICBaglama & Vocal : Zafer Tosun & Özden ÖztoprakBir Gerçege Bel Bagladim | Asik Daimi - Erzincan
Insan Kisim Kisim Yar Yar | Ali Delice - SivasYildiz | Ali Ekber Çiçek - Erzincan
ARAPGIR SEMAHIArapgir, Malatya - Eastern Anotolia
Researched by : Mehpare AskinMusic : Traditional
Music Performed by : Mustafa Tosun Dede
MUSICBaglama & Vocal : Özden Öztoprak & Zafer Tosun
Bosumus | Mahsuni Serif - Maras, ElbistanNefes Harceyleme | Dervis Muhammed - MalatyaSalma Dil Gemisini | Turabi Ali Baba - Horosan
BACILAR SEMAHIMalatya - Eastern Anotolia
Researched by : Mehpare AskinMusic : Traditional
Music Performed by : Mustafa Tosun Dede
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