Sajad Zoleykani; Elham Andaroodi; Asmar Shahbazi
Abstract
Confronting the ritual performance of Ta‘ziyeh—a religious passion play closely tied to Shi'a beliefs—raises the question of its potential influence in shaping or ...
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Confronting the ritual performance of Ta‘ziyeh—a religious passion play closely tied to Shi'a beliefs—raises the question of its potential influence in shaping or directing the lived culture of communities. In this context, the Ta‘ziyeh of Imam Husayn in the village of Talāvok was selected as a case study. Talāvok, located in Dodāngeh District of Sāri County in Māzandarān Province, has continuously held Ta‘ziyeh performances on the eleventh day of Muharram since the Qajar era. The central question is whether Ta‘ziyeh in Talāvok has contributed to the formation of a distinct cultural structure—and if so, what are its manifestations and indicators? This qualitative study is based on two decades of fieldwork and interviews, including long-term residence in the village, direct observation of the Ta‘ziyeh and related events, and conversations with elders, local experts, and a wide range of villagers from Talāvok and neighboring communities. The aim is to explore the signs and dimensions of the relationship between Ta‘ziyeh and the community. The findings indicate that both tangible (rural fabric) and intangible (beliefs and behaviors) cultural elements have emerged in Talāvok as a result of the annual performance. The study reveals that the continued observance of Ta‘ziyeh has deepened communal devotion to Husayn ibn Ali and the narrative of Karbalā, giving rise to culturally embedded practices and beliefs closely intertwined with the performance and its symbolic meanings.
