The Effect of Muharram Ritual on the Anatomy of ‎Traditional Cities in the Modern Era (Case Study: Aran & Bidgol, Isfahan Province, Iran)‎‎

As an integral part of his life، human has been long closely related to rituals. In Post-Islam Shi’ite Iran، Muharram proves to be the most significant and effective ritual. The skeleton of the Iranian traditional cities is formulated from this religion-based attitude. These cities follow some definite principles; therefore، they are called Islamic cities. Although many other effective factors have played a role in the formation of an Islamic city، the views put forward by its residents appear the most significant. Muharram is، in fact، a collective ritual that is repeated every year. This ritual has influenced the anatomy and appearance of cities both permanently (e. g.، establishing Hosseiniyehs and Tekiyehs for holding religious ceremonies)، and temporarily (like using banners and pitching tents during the performance). All these elements may impress any observer so that the ritual can be revived in his mind with every repetition. They have changed into identifying memorial elements in years، which have developed a ritual landscape for the city. There have been many changes in the historical textures of various cities in the Modern era due to different attitudes and methods. However، are these changes based on the initial principle of developing the textures، that is، the same ritual? or do they originate from another factor? To find the answer، a town called Aran-and-Bidgol in the Iranian province of Isfahan was selected as the case study. It is located close to the Maranjab Desert near Kashan. This town is not along the passage route and has already maintained many of its cultural signs originating from its urban identity. One of these cultural signs is the religious rituals based on which the landscape of our Islamic cities has been formed. Religious rituals، Muharram in particular، have greatly influenced the culture of its residents، and increased the local capitals of its historically worn texture compared with the similar cases. To recognize the effects of rituals on the anatomy of modern localities in Aran- and-Bidgol، we should first know about the culture of the people with this ritual. Therefore، we observed the town in person to acquire socio-environmental knowledge. Given our presence among the people of this town during Muharram or otherwise، we attempted to understand much better this ritual، its manner of performance، and knowing about the social texture. This research applies a qualitative method. Hence، some old local centers of the town were analyzed as the main poles of ritual influence on its anatomy within two historical periods (i. e.، contemporary and 1956)، and its changes during the modern era were identified. In addition، social characteristics of its population and their manner of performing Muharram ritual were analyzed. The way for reviving the town’s historical worn texture by its urban managers and their interaction with the people were also studied. The results indicate that Muharram ritual is still the most powerful factor influencing the historical texture developments of this town during the Modern period.