9th and 10th Day of Muharram

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Iran Series at PersianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Iranian holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 6, the 9th and 10th Days of Muharram. In Persian, they’re called taasuaa and aashooraa.

Do you know what "taasuaa” and “aashooraa" mean? They are the respective names Muslims give to the ninth day and tenth day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It was during these days in which "the Battle of Karbala" took place.

In this lesson, we will also discuss Emam Hossein, the martyr who was killed on aashooraa to whom these two days are dedicated.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What does the word nakhl, which is used during the mourning ceremonies of the month of Muharram, mean?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

On October 10, 680 AD, a fight, or jang, broke out between Emam Hossein and Yazid, the ruler of the Omayyad Dynasty. The cause of this fight was Imam Hossein's opposition to the illegitimate ruling of Yazid. On the ninth day of Muharram, also known as taasuaa, the troops of Yazid besieged the tents belonging to Imam Hossein's companions. On the day of aashooraa, a harsh battle, or nabard, took place, during which Imam Hossein and his companions were martyred in an unjust manner. Now, every year, Muslims hold a widespread mourning ceremony in honor of this historical event.

Today, during taasuaa and aashooraa, we can see various daste and hei'at, which are mourning parades that are held in the streets. Daste involve groups of people holding ceremonies in congregations. At such ceremonies, men wear mostly black and engage in mourning rituals. Zanjir-zani, which is a ceremony in which people show their grief by beating their shoulders and backs with chains, is one such ritual. Sine-zani is another mourning ritual, but in this ritual participants beat their chests with their hands instead of chains. These rituals are often accompanied by the singing of mourning songs, the beating of drums, and the waving of flags. The word flag in Persian is alam.

Among other rituals particular to the 9th and 10th day of Muharram is the performance of t'azie, also called shabih-khani. This is a religious play depicting the Battle of Karbala. In another ritual called rowze-khani, the battle’s events are described in the form of storytelling and religious songs. Such rituals are usually held in religious places called tekye.

Because of his unforgettable martyrdom in the name of God, Imam Hossein has been titled by Shia Muslims as Saalaar-e Shahidaan, literally meaning Master of the Martyrs.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

What does the word nakhl, which is used during the mourning ceremonies of the month of Muharram, mean?

A nakhl is a large coffin covered in black and green cloth that is carried by mourners on aashooraa as a symbol of the coffin of Imam Hossein.