A S H U R A & B A T T L E O F K A R B A L A «L I V E L I K E A L I, D I E L I K E H O S A Y N»

Transcription

1 A S H U R A & B A T T L E O F K A R B A L A «L I V E L I K E A L I, D I E L I K E H O S A Y N»

2 As Imam HOSAYN refused alliegeance to YAZID, he suddenly left MACCA to KOUFA, in now Iraq. In the early days of MUHARRAM, HOSAYN and 72 members of the MUHAMMAD descent (incl. MUHAMMAD ssister ZAINAB ) were sieged near the now-city of KARBALA by HOUR, OMAR SAAD and their Khawarij troops while routing to the fellow KOUFA. HOSAYN proposed the saint family to fled to India, but YAZID refused and still required for allegiance The Siege lasted for 10 days, and Shiites used to commemorate the beginning of the Siege by exhibiting picturesques models of martial banners of the holy family, or Alams (Iran, Pakistan). This exhibition is ritually held in front of dedicated enclosure or building for the cult of imams, a.k.a Hoseiniyyeh. (Alams exhibitions in Saadat Abad district of Tehran, Muharram the 3rd)

3 On the modern Alams, the Lion (common representation of the the imam ALI, HOSAYN s father ) is often adjusted as a central character.

4 Lion of Ali was the national symbol of kingdom of Iran Each of 12 peacocks symbolizes an Emam THE ALAMS (1) Flame shaped flags Alams commemorate the martial markings of the Kerbala Battle This unexpected double hache evokes the Nematullahi derviches Here Fellows attach gifts Shawl of the Alam holders

5 The sasanid standard was corrupted by wanderers as a scepter Right: Saw-sharkhead of a chishti-qalandari wanderer. THE ALAMS (2) The snake head is remnant of the stick of the turkish Abdal wandering derviches. These derviches were followers of Othman BABA, a so-claimed son of ADAM.

6 Early days of MUHARRAM : preparations of the ASHURA rememberance in KASHAN old Town

7 SHIITES REPLAY THE BATTLE OF KARBALA : THE TAZIEH The Month of MUHARRAM is the occasion to remember the Battle of KARBALA. Iranians celebrate the Conclusion of the holy fighters in the 9th («Tasua») and 10th («Ashura») days of MUHARRAM. They perform Mourning processions or replay the Battle as a Street Theater named Tazieh. This ancient Art is often compared with the medieval «mystere» scenery of the biblic heroes. Tazieh scenery in Tajrish, North Tehran CHIMRE (Right), challenges HOSAYN in KARBALA.

8 TAZIEH REVIVES A PERSIAN VISION OF THE ARAB MIDDLE AGE The Tazieh perpetuates a persian description of the historic facts. Actors and volunteers perform the epic scene and added a lot of details, beyond their the local mind and budget Some details are anachronic ( Alams, Kadjaveh palanquins), some other are astoundingly gore but improve the mythical background of the history. Tazieh Scenery : Shayyid ABBAS rides his «horse» to the Frontline. Background of the roleplay Hardware Dealers sell shields, Alams like banners, swords, bows and Wardrums for Tazieh Roleplay of Ashura.

9 VOLUNTEERS STILL SING THE BATTLE FACTS FOR HOURS Actors of the Tazieh scenery recite the legendary dialogues in persian. Every songs are composed in identified Modes of the persian Dastgah System ( Hosayni ). In the XIX th century, some Tazieh singers became skilled Sonnati Masters (persian classical repertoire). Tazieh scenery in Tajrish : CHIMRE was embodied by an inspirated volunteer. Every YAZID s partisans wear red clothes ; exceptiong HOUR. Tazieh scenery in Tajrish : actors punctuates sung strophes with short trumpet pieces.

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11 IN TAJRISH whatever the mourning feast, Tazieh theater troupe plays the Kerbala Battle, i.e. a favourite.

12 TAZIEH PLAYERS COMPETE FOR AUDIENCE (ARBAEEN IN QAZVIN) At least some 6 Tazieh theater troops were playing the religious play of Kerbala Battle in the same time in front of the emamzadeh. This plays the Lion, actually a symbol for the brave emam ALI.

13 QAZVIN : The Tazieh theater troupe replays loudly the tragical end of (here veiled) ZAHRA

14 YAZID s son, is rich and cruel. So he looks obviously american The anonymous archer, guilty for stopping ABBAS near water source. H E R O E S OF T A Z I E H PA S S I O N P L A Y S HOSEN and wife ZAHRA, a man should play her role, as the job is unappropriate for women. Dervish QANBAR : anachronic Hosen s military auxiliaries. YAZID in his palace oppulent & crual Traders & craftsmen in the sukh of Kufah show off their sorrows after betrayal Lion of ALI laments on his grandson ALI ASHGAR

15 THE END OF ABBAS The HOSAYN s Camp was deprived of Water from MUHARRAM the 1st. After 10 days, everyone is severely thirsty in there. ABBAS is asked fulfilling their Gourd in the Water source near the frontline. At least, ABBAS reaches this, but the crual partisans of YAZID cut his hands. In the audience some people are silently lamenting. (picture right is excerpt from a dutch Web blog. This shows an actor s trick feat plastic gloves)

16 THE WEDDING OF ALI AKBAR On the tenth Day (Ashura in arabic), HOSAYN pushes his elder son ALI AKBAR ( homonymous of his Granfather) to marry. The Bride get ready in the Camp of Karbala, and the tribal wedding tent, or Hejleh, was erected for this purpose. Everyone is waiting for the return of ALI AKBAR from the Karbala s Frontline in order to celebrate the wedding. This Hejleh was erected for the wedding of ALI AKBAR. In the occasion of the MUHARRAM commemoration, the Hejleh is erected again. As a mimetism of this martyrdom, Iranians erect Hejleh and celebrate the post mortem wedding of the unmarried departed with this mobile temporary monuments.

17 Unfortunately, the ALI AKBAR s horse comes back alone. The Bride and shii women understand that he died and he will never marry. They lament for the ALI s innocence and martyrdom in the Battlefield. This drama is the basement of the traditional shii Hejleh custom of rememberance for single departed.

18 HOSAYN S PREACH: THE CONVERSION OF HOUR After most of his partisans died, HOSAYN wants to save the Women and Children of the Camp. He rides a camel, (that is a pacific ride) to the KARBALA Frontline and preaches his ennemies. After listening HOSAYN for hours, the sole HOUR understands the sacrilege he committted while fighting the Holy Family and joins the HOSAYN s survivors.

19 BAROUD OF HOSAYN Battle rages on and, HOUR dies in his turn for HOSAYN. Imam HOSAYN is the latest defender of the Camp. In his turn he wears his armour, hold his sword, and finally rides his horse to the Frontline. He first asked water for his baby ALI ASGHAR, but the YAZID s archers killed this latter. Imam HOSAYN is represented here as thirsty, because YAZID had deprived the camp of Water. Children take share the processions and some play the role of the ALI ASHGAR ( ar «as-seghir»).

20 THIRST OF THE SIEGED PEAKED ON 10 TH DAY Thirst and wounds are emphasized in the MUHARRAM s literacy. Iranians used to remember daily the thirsty martyrs of KARBALA in various occasions, such as drinking in the public Water Sources.

21 THE END OF HOSAYN HOSAYN demonstrated courage and innocence until CHIMRE beheaded him. «HOSAYN sacrificed for us» told my iranian collegues. By refusing Allegiance, HOSAYN is held as having saved the Islamic Religion. In the KARBALA Martyrdom, both imams HOSAYN & AL-MAHDI, are compared in their respective form of - lethal- Holiness The Shii defines HOSAYN s as the same as that of the MAHDI, who is usually represented with a blank face. NOTA : imam AL MAHDI (12th imam and descendant of Imam HOSAYN) mysteriouly vanished while young in the basement room of a mosque in Iraq ca 860 AD. Shiites still expect him to come back as some kind of unpredictable Messiah. This is the reason why he is often represented with a blank face. Here both imams HOSAYN and AL-MAHDI are represented with blank faces.

22 YAZID S TROOPS FINALLY MASSACRE EVEN CHILDREN After CHIMRE beheaded the imam HOSAYN, they attacked the Camp of the Holy Family and massacre most women and innocent children. This latter fact is particularly reminded, as an identitary claim of the innocence of the MUHAMMAD s holy lineage, that was often contrasted with the crualty of the other clans. ( Picture : scaled down Gharvoreh palanquins on in Qazvin for Zahra s Mourning)

23 HOSAYN S CAMP WAS SACKED AND BURNT On the Midtime of the ASHURA Day, sack concludes the ceremonies. (here in Taft, near Yazd). Tehrani erect scaled down tents These are blood stained, and when mid time comes the inhabitants burn them.

24 AFTER THE BATTLE, YAZID S WARRIORS DEPORTED THE DEFEATED Arnava, near Yazd.

25 TAJRISH In the basement of the mosque, employees are cooking gigatons of rice for the occasionnal meal sharing. Then Rice Meals are dispatched from mosques and people get back home

26 TAZIEH : FORE & THEN Such Tazieh were actually reported in Iran from the anteislamic Times. The original Play was the epics of the innocent and brave SYAVOSH, after the early versions of the persian «Book of the Kings». Adaptation of the islamic scenes rose in Iran from 970 AD, & Dini processions were replayed then by indian Shiites in North India and their related settlements as far as S-W Sumatra, Trinidad, Jamaica and brit. Guyana (19th century).

27 SHIITES LAMENT FOR THE DRAMA OF ASHURA KARBALA seems to be the founding Fact, the major basement of the twelver theology. The HOSAYN s sacrifice stands as both an ideal of Martyrdom and the hope of a Resurection of the Human Beings. This latter belief is reinforced by the lasting Wait for the messianic return of the MAHDI. The Nohekhan (Nohe singers) lead the Nohe collective Lament. Some of them are famous all over Iran. Despite Gharvoreh palanquins are craddle or mosque shaped, they do embody coffins during the mourning processions (Tasua and Ashura)

28 «DINI» LAMENT PROCESSIONS & THE ALAMS The Dini is a sad Mourning Procession. The Nohe lead singer is accompanied by a slow, martial Drum beat. The Alams Holder precedes the Mourning Marche. As this Banner structure is reported weighing several hundreds of Kgs, the central Holder is reported to perform a huge effort and proof for sacrifice when accepting the job. Actually some helps take share the steadiness when marching. The central carriers supporting the major part of the weighing alams. The mimetism with south european Easter processions is striking.

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30 «DINI» & «SINE» Most participants beat their breast with their hand after the slow Beat of the huge Dohol Drums. In several regions of Iran & Pakistan, some beat with Zendjir chains, sticks, stones or similar accessories. Indian believers widespread the Dini as far as S-W Sumatra, Trinidad, Jamaica and brit. Guyana, where Muharram fast & processions are still performed as Hosay / Hussay, featuring the same dohol drums, tasa drums, and extincting homonymous Tadjah (=Tazieh) palanquins

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32 QESHM: SHIITE MINORITY PARADES LOUDLY IN THE STREETS Shiites deny being minority in Qeshm, especially during the Noruz Shopping rush in its VAT free zone. Two parishes do commemorate the martyrdom of emam HASAN then emam REZA with a specific Sinezani (breast beating). Very demonstrative and loud.

33 COLLECTING BLESSINGS : paraders of Ashura exhibit votive locks, hanging on their pierced breast (Qajar period)

34 QASVIN: FANFARES PARADE ARBAEEN FOR ARBAEEN commemorates the 40 th day after ASHURA Mourning of the emam HOSEN. This is celebrated as the end of the emam HOSEN s Mourning. The procession feature the Sinezani, the Hejleh and the same Noekhan as the ASHURA s.

35 QASVIN: ARBAEEN FANFARES FEATURE UNEXPECTED BRASS BANDS Brass bands give the procession a very unexpected Mood, something like the Mourning lively orchestra in New Orleans!

36 MASS HYSTERIA PEAKS AT THE TIME OF THE MASSACRE Trumpeters ring the mourning. Taft, near Yazd.

37 QASVIN: FANFARE PROCESSION S ENTER IMAMZADEH E HOSEN ARBAEEN commemorate s the 40 th day after ASHURA Mourning of the emam HOSEN.

38 QESHM: FOLKLORE OF THE COASTAL SHI A : Emami processions of the Shiite Bandari still starts with the waheed a frenetic circle introduction to the parade. Saed SHANBEH ZADEH, then Mohsen SHARIFIAN inventoried this as a step of the busheri emamism, but it seems that this is actually performed as an introductive and even conclusive choregraphy even in Qeshm & Minab.

39 MOURNING NEVER ENDS Most celebrations cease after the celebration of the massacre itself. In most regions of Iran, specific additional liturgies continue the ASHURA Day, such as the shame-khaliban, which celebrates the latter nocturnal arrival of the desperate ZAINAB on the smoky ruins of the KARBALA Battlefield. Coffin and Shrine Gates are a daily visual leitmotiv of the islamic iranian iconography. NOTA The Craddle Shape of most Nakhl / Gharvoreh palanquins emphasize the martyrdom of innocent kids (here : preparation at carpenter s workshop in a caravanserail in Kashan ) On Enqelab Avenue, Fellows replay the HOSAYN s Burial in KARBALA during the early hours of the ASHURA s afternoon.

40 TAFT : AFTER THE PARADE, SUPPORTERS CARRY THE HEAVIEST NAKHL IN IRAN Taft, near Yazd.

41 The Nakhl coffin is made of palm tree. Its head is fitted several Alams flags. Some are shaped like a palm tree of Kerbala path (fars. Nakhl, palm tree ) This ethymology is sometimes controversed, as Naghl means mobile. Taft, near Yazd. Lion of ALI, Amir Shakmakh, Yazd NAKHL COFFIN : A WALK AROUND Swords of the defeated, Yazd Portrait of emam HOSEN, Yazd Mand ex Voto, Yazd. Mand ex Voto, Amir Shakshagh, Yazd.

42 ABYANEH : Dozens of wishes cover the Nakhl coffin. This is left laying in the cemetary after parade.

43 WANDERING IN OBSCURITY : SHAM-E-KHALIBAN («night of the rejected») childhood remind how some sons of HOSEN have been wandering in the battlefield without any light at night. Hoseiniyyeh Amir Shakshag, Yazd.

44 A ZAHRA customized guy ( women are not allowed to play the scenery) collects the offerings of the Tazieh audience during sung intermedes by the Nohekhane. In the occasion of Ashura, the iranians express their devotion for the Prophet s Family. They glorify the Martyrdom as a moral victory of the innocence and holiness VS its ennemies. They hold the MUHAMMAD s lineage as the legitime Heritage for Truth. The Event echoes yearly the martyrdom as their religious ideal, the revealing of the Resurrection.