Ta’ziyeh and Ta’ziyeh-Khani in Markazi Province

The present study investigates the Ta’zieh (mourning) ritual in the cities and villages of Markazi Province and the performance of traveling Ta’zieh or passion play in the city of Arak. This study was conducted using the library method and based on related oral reports and written documents. It is worth mentioning that the Ta’zieh tradition is performed in Arak similar to the way it is performed in other corners of Iran. The history of this ritual in Arak goes back to the date of establishing this city during the reign of Fathali Shah Qajar. However, it was previously performed in the villages surrounding Arak, from which no written records, possibly except for Ta’zieh texts, are available. Between 1962-1981, Ta’zieh was not performed openly and in public in this city and was, in fact, forbidden there. Nevertheless, since 1981 Ta’ziyeh and Shabih Khani (lamentation) are officially performed in their traditional forms in Arak.