All these pictures were taken at the Etnographic Museum near the Blue Mosque and Blue Türbe.

This is the hat of a Sheikh (turkish: Şeyh) of the Mevlevi Order (the socalled Whirling Dervishes).
‘Sheikh’ has a lot of meanings; in this particular case, the man, always an elder, is the spiritual leader of his congregation and is the one who presides at the Mevlevi ‘Semâ’ ritual.
The huge hat is made of felt and is called ‘taç’ (crown) if it belongs to a Sheikh. In that case its base is wrapped with a long piece of cotton cloth (white or dark coloured).
Ordinary members of the Mevlevi congregation have the same hat, but without the wrapping.
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.