Moharram in Mahmudabad
The month of Moharram, the first in the Islamic calendar, marks the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Hussein, who was killed at the Battle of Karbala in Iraq in 680 AD. His death is commemorated by all Muslims, but it is the sect of Shia Muslims who most openly participate in a mourning period for Hussein, whom they consider one of their Imams, or religious leaders. Expressions of grief amongst the Shia can vary quite widely, but the practices of the Shia in Lucknow, India are in many ways unique. There, the mourning period lasts entire months, much longer than the ten days that are observed by Shia Muslims in many parts of the Middle East. Their specific rituals also feature practices which are not found amongst the Arab Shia and are attended not only by the Shia, but also by Sunni Muslims, and even Hindus.
The following photographs chronicle the final ten days of the mourning period in the village of Mahmudabad located just outside of Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. They feature the various rituals as practiced by the family of Mohammad Amir Khan, who is the Raja, or prince of Mahmudabad. These practices include majalis, or religious gatherings where a speaker reads a sermon to the audience and recounts events from the Battle of Karbala, various types of prayers, the setting up of drink stands called Sabeel, and also processions known in the Urdu language as juloos. The tenth and final day, Ashura, is the culmination of these practices wherein a giant paper and tin-foil replica of Imam Hussein’s Shrine in Karbala, Iraq is carried out to a field in the village to be buried, a practice which is repeated each year.
Captions are provided with each photograph for background information on the specific practices.
Read MoreThe following photographs chronicle the final ten days of the mourning period in the village of Mahmudabad located just outside of Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. They feature the various rituals as practiced by the family of Mohammad Amir Khan, who is the Raja, or prince of Mahmudabad. These practices include majalis, or religious gatherings where a speaker reads a sermon to the audience and recounts events from the Battle of Karbala, various types of prayers, the setting up of drink stands called Sabeel, and also processions known in the Urdu language as juloos. The tenth and final day, Ashura, is the culmination of these practices wherein a giant paper and tin-foil replica of Imam Hussein’s Shrine in Karbala, Iraq is carried out to a field in the village to be buried, a practice which is repeated each year.
Captions are provided with each photograph for background information on the specific practices.
