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 ( ztosun44@yahoo.com )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 ( oztoprakozden@gmail.com )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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