Forgive the tardiness, ModBloggers, but your editor has thrown out his stupid shitty back and has been laid up on the couch in substantial pain for the past 15 hours or so, because he is the oldest man alive. Please accept, as penance, this intense series of photos from Chris of Shi’a Muslims in Nabatiyya, Lebanon, participating in traditional rites in observance of Ashura, the “holiest day of the Shiite Muslim calendar.” According to Chris (and Wikipedia!), it “marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.” Apparently, this sort of bloodletting (which the men are doing to themselves with those large machetes*) is frowned upon by some Muslim clerics, but…well, not all of them, I guess. More photos after the jump.
*Says Chris: “They actually cut their scalps with straight razors and chant with the machetes. Only the really hard-core guys cut themselves with the machetes (and chains).”
See more in “Cultural Rituals“ (Culture)
Comments
207 responses to “Electric Relaxation”
What I want to know is, is where all the blood is coming from?
What I want to know is, is where all the blood is coming from?
What I want to know is, is where all the blood is coming from?
from their body ? it’s like a ritual or something like that.
from their body ? it’s like a ritual or something like that.
from their body ? it’s like a ritual or something like that.
religion is shit
yes, all of them
religion is shit
yes, all of them
religion is shit
yes, all of them
yeah, i agree. religion is for the weak minded.
yeah, i agree. religion is for the weak minded.
yeah, i agree. religion is for the weak minded.
where are the wounds from which so much blood would spill?
p.s. coolest religion in the world.
where are the wounds from which so much blood would spill?
p.s. coolest religion in the world.
where are the wounds from which so much blood would spill?
p.s. coolest religion in the world.
@heretic138 and Aviram
Chill! Although I think that organized religion is discriminatory and generally harmful, just think: without religion this beautiful ritual wouldn’t exist.
@heretic138 and Aviram
Chill! Although I think that organized religion is discriminatory and generally harmful, just think: without religion this beautiful ritual wouldn’t exist.
@heretic138 and Aviram
Chill! Although I think that organized religion is discriminatory and generally harmful, just think: without religion this beautiful ritual wouldn’t exist.
intense x| the ultimate body mods…
intense x| the ultimate body mods…
intense x| the ultimate body mods…
religion is for people that haven’t had a moment of spirituality.
religion is for people that haven’t had a moment of spirituality.
religion is for people that haven’t had a moment of spirituality.
@ heretic138 : I agree
PS : coran authorize up to three wifes… just tell me : how many their profet used to have ?
@ heretic138 : I agree
PS : coran authorize up to three wifes… just tell me : how many their profet used to have ?
@ heretic138 : I agree
PS : coran authorize up to three wifes… just tell me : how many their profet used to have ?
All I can think of is blood born pathogens risk…
All I can think of is blood born pathogens risk…
All I can think of is blood born pathogens risk…
I am constantly amazed at how much a simple scalp wound can bleed. It really gives you the most blood for the least amount of damage of any place on the body I can think of.
This sort of ritual while I find it fascinating and beautiful the religious aspect of it makes me very uncomfortable and concerned. So I’m torn on how I feel about it.
Argax: Thanks for reminding me that while most non-believers are intelligent, thoughtful people not all of us are.
I am constantly amazed at how much a simple scalp wound can bleed. It really gives you the most blood for the least amount of damage of any place on the body I can think of.
This sort of ritual while I find it fascinating and beautiful the religious aspect of it makes me very uncomfortable and concerned. So I’m torn on how I feel about it.
Argax: Thanks for reminding me that while most non-believers are intelligent, thoughtful people not all of us are.
I am constantly amazed at how much a simple scalp wound can bleed. It really gives you the most blood for the least amount of damage of any place on the body I can think of.
This sort of ritual while I find it fascinating and beautiful the religious aspect of it makes me very uncomfortable and concerned. So I’m torn on how I feel about it.
Argax: Thanks for reminding me that while most non-believers are intelligent, thoughtful people not all of us are.
yeah, so, who cares if you think religion is shit or for the weak minded or whatever other hate you can bring on. nobody is forcing you to follow it. why can’t you live and let die for christs sake?
yeah, so, who cares if you think religion is shit or for the weak minded or whatever other hate you can bring on. nobody is forcing you to follow it. why can’t you live and let die for christs sake?
yeah, so, who cares if you think religion is shit or for the weak minded or whatever other hate you can bring on. nobody is forcing you to follow it. why can’t you live and let die for christs sake?
“why can’t you live and let die for christs sake?” -#12
Becuase they obviously don’t care for Christ. Haha! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
“why can’t you live and let die for christs sake?” -#12
Becuase they obviously don’t care for Christ. Haha! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
“why can’t you live and let die for christs sake?” -#12
Becuase they obviously don’t care for Christ. Haha! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
dam, i should have said who in the “hell” cares
dam, i should have said who in the “hell” cares
dam, i should have said who in the “hell” cares
thanks treehopr, i couldn’t help but writing that one.
thanks treehopr, i couldn’t help but writing that one.
thanks treehopr, i couldn’t help but writing that one.
Wow.
And they complain about scalpels…
Wow.
And they complain about scalpels…
Wow.
And they complain about scalpels…
Paul King had some amazing footage of this ritual in his APP class (ritualized modification) this year….
Paul King had some amazing footage of this ritual in his APP class (ritualized modification) this year….