3/4/2004: Ashoura 2004

[jinx]

Originally posted by OnyxCougar
Perh aps I didn't phrase my question correctly. I understand they are celebrating a holy day, I understand it's for Imam. Why are they hitting themselves in the head with knives? Why not...go fuck a cow? Why are they celebrating it in this particular manner. The CNN article doesn't answer that.

"In the past, many Shia men have demonstrated their devotion to Husayn by letting their blood flow freely from self-inflicted wounds. Today, however, many governments have tried to ban this practice, with varying degrees of success. In Lebanon, the practice is permitted, and a bloody commemoration of Ashoura takes place in Nabatieh every year."

Apparently the head wound is not the only thing they do. The CNN article says;

"Shortly after the explosions, pilgrims returned to the Imam Hussein mosque: chanting, beating their breasts in penance, cutting themselves with daggers or swords and whipping themselves in synchronized moves."

I would imagine the head wound is common (and done to the kids) because, as UT pointed out in the orginal post, you get more bang for your buck in the blood:suffering ratio.