Iranian Celebration

• Iran

• 1944

Muharram commemoration in Iran

Notes: Friend-Experts, Elham Mirgreshi, Omid Safi and Tannaz Haddadi shared: This is a mourning procession during the days of tasu'a or ashura. Ashura is the yearly commemoration of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). The heavy banner ('alam) in the photo is often carried through the procession. The men in the front are performing movements from the Zur-Khaneh tradition, what we would call Islamic martial arts and it is a fascinating combination of chivalry, physical discipline, and mysticism.The sportsmen are 'chivalrous men', or "pahelvan" (champions). They are carrying a very heavy weight called a "meel." The martial art is likely a thousand years old in Iran.