A nakhl, a wooden structure used for Ashura mourning, Yazd, Iran
Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, Iranian prominent writer says in his memoirs: “Yazd is Iran’s museum of mourning tools.” On the corner of the stunning Amir Chakhmaq complex which draws attention of every tourist, stands the meters high Nakhl, the Arabic word for palm tree which is used with the same meaning in Farsi. This Nakhl, however, looks more similar to any regular cypress tree which Iran is famous for, often known as the country’s national tree as well. The Nakhl in Yazd is a huge structure weighing several tons consisting of interwoven carved woods in the shape of a very large leaf or, as said above, the cypress tree. Traveling through the cities in central desert of Iran, one may see so many of these Nakhls in the corner of the mosques and tekyehs. But the ones in Yazd and Taft, a nearby town, are considered to be the oldest and tallest in Iran, dating back to 450 something years ago and the Safavid dynasty. Throughout the year, the Nakhl in the corner of medieval Amir Chakhmaq tekyeh stands by the old mosque only to be photographed by visitors. But at the beginning of the month of Moharram, this gigantic wooden masterpiece is decorated generously by large pieces of black fabrics, daggers, swords and mirrors for the festival of Ashura. I’ve been to many Moharram festivals in Iran. Witnessing those of Northern Iran including my province, the festivals in capital Tehran, the Azeri ceremonies in Zanjan and Ardabil, the Arab/Abadani ceremonies and so on. But that of Yazd, I suppose, are as unique as the ancient province. People in Yazd are very religious and traditionally take their religious festivals very seriously. The Moharram and the following month Safar, one feels the religious spirit in every big and small town and witnesses the people collaborating voluntarily and organizing all the rituals spontaneously to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein as glorious as possible.
Size: 6016px × 4016px
Location: Yazd, Iran
Photo credit: © Roberto Cornacchia / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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