I Saw Life - Lebanon
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Thousands of Nabatîyé Shia muslims head to the town's centre in the morning to assist Ashoura ceremony
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Youngsters prepare to cut their scalps with daggers as per the Ashoura ritual. The practice of self-mutilation is to commemorate the assassination of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the prophet Mohammed.
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Two local Shia kids head with their families towards the town's centre to get initiated for the Ashoura ritual.
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A young man on walking sticks being assisted down the stairs of Nabatîyé central mosque after having performed the ritual.
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Young men chanting 'Haydar', brave-heart in English, in reference to the venered to Ali Ibn Abi Talib, 4th caliphate in Islam, cousin and son-in-law of prophet Mohammed. Shia muslims consider Ali as their first Imam.
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A seller of fruit-juices opens his shop after having observed Ashoura's head self-mutilation.
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Kinsmen from two generations get organised for a family portrait.
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Lebanese Red Cross on stand-by to provide first aid throughout the entire ceremony.
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Professionals actors are hired to feature in street processions emulating the “Battle of Karbala”, a major historical event which took place in late 7th century, and still considered as the trigger of rivalry between Shia and Sunni muslims.
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A kid selling water for worshippers to wash.
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The same kid joins the community in celebration after a morning of work.
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Wife chose to not self-mutilate her scalp, but she is still celebrating the occasion with her husband.
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Shia muslims from Nabatiya joining family and friends on the parades without having performed the ritual. The man wears a mask due to sensitiveness towards the smell of blood.
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A young girl sits by an elderly member of the community to watch celebration.
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Teenage girls eating lunch after having attended the parades and carried the ritual.
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A local woman walking up the main street towards the end of Ashoura festivities.
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Local men converse as the crowds begin to disperse
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A man leaves behind his Ashoura outfit towards the end of the celebration after having changed and washed off.
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A local man smokes a cigarette while waiting for the Nabatîyé-Beirut minibus to fill up at the end Ashoura's festivities.
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A teenager on a bus heading home to his native village in the vicinity of Nabatîyé after having attended Ashoura day.