Ashura, Mud and Candle
متن به فارسی
Khorramabad - November 2012
Women of Khorramabad attend the "Chehel Menbar" (Fourty pulpits) fully veiled, even the face covered with Niqab, but the veil is to respect the martyrs of Ashura and not to hide from men. There is no sign of casual Ashura mourning violence in the whole ceremony that women attend with silent fasting and walk bare-footed to light candles in 40 trays as pulpits in the town. "Chehel Menbar" is a post modern tradition, illustrating the story of Ashura and capture of women and children of Hussein army by Yazid, second Umayyad caliph in Karbala of Iraq.
"Kharrah Mali" (Mud Rubbing) is not just the Ashura ritual, it is an ethic which is mixing the ancient traditions of Persia with the Islamic rituals. Mud (Water and Dust) and Fire are a beautiful fusion with a soft flagellation that makes this religious ceremony distinguished from all other Ashura rituals of Shiites. Lying in the mud which is fragranted by the rose water is kind of immersion and baptism in most religions to purificate the soul and body, Ashura in Khorramabad city is an excuse for this purification with a peaceful respect to Hussein. "Kharreh Mali" is a real surreal painting.
Women of Khorramabad attend the "Chehel Menbar" (Fourty pulpits) fully veiled, even the face covered with Niqab, but the veil is to respect the martyrs of Ashura and not to hide from men. There is no sign of casual Ashura mourning violence in the whole ceremony that women attend with silent fasting and walk bare-footed to light candles in 40 trays as pulpits in the town. "Chehel Menbar" is a post modern tradition, illustrating the story of Ashura and capture of women and children of Hussein army by Yazid, second Umayyad caliph in Karbala of Iraq.
"Kharrah Mali" (Mud Rubbing) is not just the Ashura ritual, it is an ethic which is mixing the ancient traditions of Persia with the Islamic rituals. Mud (Water and Dust) and Fire are a beautiful fusion with a soft flagellation that makes this religious ceremony distinguished from all other Ashura rituals of Shiites. Lying in the mud which is fragranted by the rose water is kind of immersion and baptism in most religions to purificate the soul and body, Ashura in Khorramabad city is an excuse for this purification with a peaceful respect to Hussein. "Kharreh Mali" is a real surreal painting.