A long mourning

'A long mourning' document diverse aspects of the commemoration of Ashura by the Shiite community in Iran.

Ashura is the tenth day of Moharram, the first Islamic month. For Shiites particularly it is a day of mourning recalling the martyrdom of Imam Husain (grandson of the prophet Mohammed) at Karbala in 680 AD. Each year during ten days, crowds of mourners attend commemorative services, reciting elegies, passion plays as well as processions of chest beating and self-flagellation, the tenth day being the climax of this dramatic tension.

Rather than the common graphic and violent photographs found every year in the media. This work focuses on the sociological aspect of the commemoration, hoping to widen the understanding of the Shiite community.

The photographs illustrate the strategy in which collective memory and values are materialized through artistic reennactment called 'Ta'aziyeh' or public and private demonstration of grieve.

To understand Ashura, it is crucial to seize the significance the death of Imam Husain carries both for Shiite and Sunni. Participants often explaine that they are associating their suffering or daily frustrations with the sacrifice of Husain.