Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development)

Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development)

Socio-Cultural Functions of Muharram Mourning Rituals from the Perspective of Azeri and Lor Tribes Living in Tehran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Yasin Salimi 1
Seyed Mohammad Saghafi 2
Mohammad Homayoun Sepehr 3
1 PhD student, Department of Cultural Sociology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Ira
2 Professor, Department of Islamic History and Civilization, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22055/qjsd.2024.44401.2852
Abstract
This article aims to identify the socio-cultural functions of mourning in the month of Muharram. The present research method is qualitative and uses a combination of theoretical, structural-functional and interpretive approaches. The statistical population included religious groups of the Azeri and Lor ethnic groups living in Tehran and activists of the mourning groups, to the extent that 20 people (10 Lor and 10 Azeri) were selected as the sample population through qualitative interview method and the data were analyzed using content analysis method. The findings showed that the similarities (participation, interaction, solidarity and sympathy) of the mourning rituals of the Iranian Azeri and Lor ethnic groups in the month of Muharram have a social dimension and form, and there is general participation and complete solidarity in the behaviors of the participants, and such behaviors create joint actions that over time have removed it from individuality and given it a collective form, and the dominant similarity is the simultaneity and smell of the rituals. Also, the differences (methods, methods, religious beliefs) of mourning rituals show that there are two major differences in the mourning rituals of the two ethnic groups under study: a) Differences in the method and method of mourning: the use of the type of tools and implements, where the Azeris use wood and ax in the procession of Shah Hussein and Ahsin; but the Lors use the chamar instrument, drums, and cymbals; b) Type of religious beliefs: The Azeris believe in the plurality of delegations in terms of their scope and diversity; but the Lors are usually centralized, and in this regard, for example, the number of Lor delegations is very limited compared to the number of Azeris in Tehran.
Keywords
Mourning Ritual
Azeri Tribes
Lore Tribes
Socio-Cultural Function
Religious Beliefs
Subjects
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Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development)
Volume 20, Issue 1 - Serial Number 77
Vol. 20, No. 1, Autumn 2025
Summer 2025
Pages 121-148