Taziyeh

((Religious performances))

Taziyeh literally means mourning and mourning, and in a more general definition it refers to religious theaters that are about the reality of Karbala. The original name of taziyeh is similitude or similitude, which means that the people who perform, imitate and play the roles of the main characters.
The point that should be mentioned in this regard is that taziyeh is not necessarily about Imam Hussein (AS) and the event of Karbala, taziyeh plays are about religious and epic subjects such as the taziyeh of Ibrahim, the taziyeh of different Imams and we even have funny taziyeh.
Taziyeh, which is a collection of colors, poetry and music; It is mostly performed for the death of lost parents and loved ones. A religious show in which good and evil fight.
Art from Iran
Taziyeh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, and although it is performed in other parts of the world, from the Caribbean to the Indonesian islands, the taziyeh originated in Iran. Its history dates back to the years before Ashura and the arrival of Islam in Iran, which was called "readingSuvushun" and the play was performed in the fire of Siavash, which was a sign of his innocence when Siavash passed through the fire safely.
The director of Taziyeh is called "Mo'in Al-Baqa". Taziyeh is a religious theater whose play is in the form of poetry and is performed with music, so it is different from conventional religious theater. Of course, the rules of the theater are observed in it, it has a director, an actor and a play, and it is also performed on stage, but it also has clothes, equipment and make-up.
Every performance of taziyeh is called "Majlis"; The actors call it "Shabih Khan", the director of Taziyeh is "Moin Al-Baka" and the author is "Murderer". The play of taziyeh is also called "war". The producer of taziyeh is called the "founder" and the rest of the agents are called "taziyeh staff".
Assembly or apparatus: Each complete performance is called a set of taziyeh. If a positive role is played with a sword in taziyeh, it is called the "Assembly of Martyrdom", which is recited during the day, like the Assembly of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussein. But if a positive role is martyred by poison, it is called the "Assembly of Death", which is recited at night, like the Assembly of the death of Imam Musa Kazem.
Simulator or actors: Another name for taziyeh is simile reading, because the actors play like historical characters and emphasize to be like them, and this is a play similar to adventure.
Moin Al-Bakka or Director: The most dominant imitator and veteran who knows the Ta'izz and other imitators well. Moin Al-Bakka invites like-minded singers to cooperate based on the venue, type and atmosphere of the funeral. He has the task of dividing the maps and has to practice with imitators. Usually does not play. He sits in a corner to help someone if he forgets his dialogues.
Manuscript or script: All the writings of Taziyeh are called manuscripts. The text of the taziyehs is also eloquent and poetic. Most of the poems in the manuscripts are of the Masnavi type and are not scientific. The author of a poem is called a murderer.
Taziyeh, like many of the country's indigenous arts, does not have much classical education. The mourners believe that this art should be learned step by step and it is not possible to sit in the classroom, it was mourned. But taziyeh reading, like theater and cinema, requires acting talent and, of course, a good memory to memorize

Translator: Fatemeh Abbaszadeh