Shi'ite Muslims Commemorate Ashura in Nabatieh
Unlike many Shi'ites in Lebanon, some in Nabatieh take part in bloodletting rituals to commemorate Ashura. (J. Owens/VOA)
Shi'ite Muslims around the world commemorate Ashura and mourn the death of Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. (J. Owens/VOA)
As well as bloodletting from the head, others flay themselves to mark Ashura. However, both are practiced by only a small minority of Shi'ites in Lebanon. (J. Owens/VOA)
Lebanese Shi'ite men bleed from self-inflicted head wounds as they strike themselves with swords to show their grief during Ashura rituals, in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Oct. 12, 2016.
A Lebanese Shi'ite woman bleeds from self-inflicted head wounds to show her grief during Ashura rituals in Nabatieh, Oct. 12, 2016.
A Shi'ite Muslim child reacts as he bleeds after he was cut on the forehead with a razor during a religious procession to mark Ashura in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, October 12, 2016.
Flags and banners make up an important part of Ashura processions. (J. Owens/VOA)
A Lebanese Shi'ite man strikes his back with knifes to show his grief during Ashura rituals in the southern market town of Nabatieh, Oct. 12, 2016.
A Lebanese Shi'ite boy bleeds from self-inflicted head wounds to show his grief during Ashura rituals in Nabatieh, Oct. 12, 2016. Hundreds of men, boys, and several women commemorated the 7th-century martyrdom of Prophet's Muhammad's grandson Hussein by l
Medical teams were at the ready to help bandage up those who took part in bloodletting during Ashura. (J. Owens/VOA)
این راننده مکزیکی در مسابقه ماشین در ایندیاناپولیس در آمریکا چندان خوش شانس نبود. او بعد از برخورد به دیوار معلق زد.
A mural depicting Ali, father of Hussein and a man regarded by ShI'ites as the first imam. (J. Owens/VOA)
Families gather together to watch a re-enactment of the battle of Karbala. (J. Owens/VOA)
A re-enactment of the battle of Karbala, in which Hussein was killed. (J. Owens/VOA)
Ali Saeed, from Nabatieh, wears a pendent of the sword of Ali, father of Hussein. Named Zulfiqar, it was said to have been given to him by the Prophet Muhammad. (J. Owens/VOA)
Often done with a knife stroke to the head, the act of bloodletting is called tatbir. (J. Owens/VOA)
Some Shia mark their faith through tattoos. Tthis one pays tribute to Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. (J. Owens/VOA)
Both young and old perform the act of tatbir within Nabatieh. (J. Owens/VOA)