Abstract

This article is available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license as part of Berghahn Open Anthro, a subscribe-to-open model for APC-free open access made possible by the journal’s subscribers. Reinventing a Traditional Ritual Commemorating Karbala’s Youngest Martyr in Iran Atefeh Seyed Mousavi Abstract: i Th s article explores recent ritual developments in the Iranian religious culture honouring Ali-Asqar (d. 680 CE), the infant son of Imam Husayn. In 2003, a new ritual, the Husayni Infancy Conference, was introduced. The ritual is the only public Muharram assembly dedicated to women and their infants. Based on observation and interviews, I identify ritual transformations, terms of institutionalisation, and the staging of rituals and their structure, and I also examine the objectives behind the Conference from the perspectives of the organisers and participants. I argue that the organisers seek to promote new interpretations of the significance of the Battle of Karbala. This objective is shared by some participants whereas many continue to seek out traditional reasons to commemorate the Battle, such as receiving God’s blessings. Attending large ritual gatherings also oe ff rs opportunities for socialising and empowerment. Keywords: Ali-Asqar, Husayni Infancy Conference, Iran, Karbala, rituals, women Ae ft r the