Bleeding Elegies

The month of Muharram is an important period of mourning in the Shi'a branch of Islam. The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of Muhammad the founder of Islam, and a Shi'a Imam, was killed. Many of the male participants congregate together in public for ceremonial chest beating as a display of their devotion to Imam Hussain and in remembrance of his suffering. 

Shi'ite Muslim women attend an Ashura procession in  Amroha,  january 5, 2009. Ashura is a 10-day-long event where Shi'ite Muslims commemorate the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein in battle in 680AD.

Shi'ite Muslim  attend an Ashura procession in Amroha

A Shi'ite Muslim

  checking  Blades in chains, to be used for self-flagellation ritual during an Ashura procession in Amroha.

"BREATHING BLADES"

 

Shi'ite Muslims flagellate themselves during a Moharram procession ahead of Ashura in Amroha in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh January 6, 2009. Ashura, a 10-day-long event, commemorates the death of the Prophet Mohammad's{SAW} grandson Imam Hussein(A.S) in battle about 1,300 years ago

"SALVATION IN FLAGELLATION"

"SWINGING BLADES - SPRITUAL SHADES"

"REMEMBERANCE AN OFFERINGS"

"NO PAINS, FOR CHAINS"

"BLOOD TRUNS TO ELIXIR"

"PIOUS MASOCHISTS"

Shi'ite Muslims beat themselves during an Ashura procession in Amroha. Ashura, a 10-day-long event, commemorates the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein in a battle in the Iraqi city of Karbala 1,300 years ago