Inventory no.: 853

Sufi Dervish Whip, Persia/Iran

SOLD

Sufi Flagellant’s Whip

Persia/Iran

circa 1930

length: 54cm

This whip comprises a turned wooden handle fitted with an iron loop at either end and with multiple iron chains attached to one end.

Whips such as these were used in Sufi dervish rites whereby adherents flagellated themselves without any apparent harm, thereby demonstrating their invulnerability to wounds and pain as a consequence of their ascetic practices. Sometimes, dervish Sufis gave public demonstrations usually in exchange for donations for Islamic good causes, such as mosque construction. Adherents appeared in public places using such whips not only in Persia but northern India

Whips such as this example might also have been used by more mainstream Shiite adherents. The Shiites are followers of Ali whose son Hussein fought against the Sunnis. He was captured, tortured and beheaded in 656 and in honour of Hussein’s memory annual processions are staged in Iran/Persia in which frenzied followers beat and whip themselves with chains and branches.

Inventory no.: 853

SOLD