The commemorations and their meaning
Five major rituals have developed over more than 12 centuries around the battle of Karbala (See map), where Husyan and his followers were massacred by armies loyal to the Umayyad dynasty (See family tree).
These rituals include memorial services, plays representing the battle of Karbala, public flagellation, mourning processions through the streets of Karbala and the visitation of Husayn's tomb particularly on the occasion of the 10th day (Ashura) and the 40th day (Mared al-Rass) when Muslims mourn their dead.
Journey to Karbala
With temperatures of more than 30°c expected tens of thousands of Shi'a Muslims will walk to Karbala, some of them barefoot over long distances to demonstrate their faithfulness. The marchers include men and women of all ages; the men clad mostly in white robes and headbands signifying the shrouds of a corpse, and the women cloaked from head to toe in traditional black dress (abaya). Many arrive carrying black (for mourning) and green (for Islam) banners, paying homage to Husayn. Some will hold graphic pictures depicting Husayn's death and his severed head on a pike. They will cry out to Husayn to try and explain why they have not come before.
Street Processions
The faithful parade through the streets in groups and stop to chant, jump, and beat their chests. Young men spray water on the visitors to cool them off. Merchants set up stalls to sell cigarettes, ice cream and prayer beads. Weary marchers, most of whom are men, rest on carpets on the side of the street. The women stand on the curb side imitating the rituals and weeping with religious fervour.
It is during these street processions that millions of Shi'a unite in a public ceremony of grief that forms a central part of the Muharram commemoration. This is accompanied by the most curious ritual of all, that of self-flagellation. The face slapping and the weeping are also an integral part of the Muharram rituals, seen as a sacred tradition by Shi'a. This is all intended to recall Husayn's memory and enhance religious solidarity as well as bolstering the position of Shi'a Muslims amongst the non-Shi'a community.
These processions, which occur in the first 10 days of Muharram and 40 days after the commemoration of the battle at Karbala (20th Safar) often carry a replica sarcophagus and represent a funeral procession for Husayn.
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Self-flagellation: an expression of grief |
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The clerics (Mollahs) stationed in pulpits mournfully sing sacred hymns and lamentations which are joined by chanting and prayer from the marchers. The procession winds through the streets and the bazaars of Shi'a holy places and shrines in Baghdad, Najaf, Kufa and Karbala chanting eulogies to the martyred Husayn while rows of men beat themselves rhythmically with sticks, chains and swords until the blood flows from their backs and foreheads. This self-flagellation can be seen in all parts of the Shi'a world. Whilst face-slapping has been a traditional symbol for expressing personal grief and pain in Arab societies, the practice of flagellation, which is more cultural than religious, is a more modern phenomenon established in the last 100 years. The flagellation includes the use of swords, and knives for head cutting, chains swung against bare backs accompanied by vigorous breast beating. The cutting of the head with a sword is considered the most violent form of flagellation and is most widespread in Pakistan and India rather than Iraq.
Next: Visitations, Enactments & Memorial Services
Back: How is Muharram commemorated in Karbala today?
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