October Lots & Martyrdom of Ali: On Sunday twenty third October 2005 I photographed two very totally different cultural occasions in London, October Lots, a theatrical harvest pageant occasion on Bankside and within the afternoon a Shia Muslim annual mourning occasion in London to mark the Martydom of Ali, the cousin of the prophet Muhammad. Once more I’ll share the textual content and photos from My London Diary, with just a few corrections to case, spelling and so forth.
October Lots: The Lions Half – Globe Theatre & Bankside
The Lions Half is a bunch of actors who got here collectively within the Authentic Shakespeare Firm however now pursue unbiased skilled careers in theatre and TV and so forth , however work collectively on varied tasks together with three common celebrations on Bankside in co-operation with the Globe Theatre.
One in all these is October Lots, loosely primarily based on conventional English harvest festivities and notably celebrating the apple and grain harvest.
Characters within the procession embrace the Inexperienced Man (or Berry Man), the Passion Horse and a big Corn Queen full of fruit and veg. To not point out a violin-playing Dancing Bear and different musicians and extra characters who participate in a number of performs and performances in varied places.
The day began in entrance of the Globe Theatre with the bear, then the procession got here and led us into the Globe Theatre, the place they gave a brief efficiency earlier than we went by means of the streets to Borough Market the place additional performs and video games have been scheduled. I made a decision it was time for lunch and left at this level.
The Martydom Of Ali – Hub-e-Ali, Marble Arch
Hub-e-Ali organise an annual mourning program in London to mark the Martydom of Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad and the primary individual to embrace Islam, who was martyred in 660CE in Kufa, Iraq.
Ali was struck by a poisoned sword whereas main daybreak prayers within the mosque, and died two days later. The occasion and its penalties proceed to divide Muslims down to the current day.
Many (and never solely Muslims) have regarded Ali because the mannequin of a simply Islamic ruler, working to ascertain peace, justice and morality.
The procession each marks the killing of Ali and in addition appears to be like ahead to the day when a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad will return to be the saviour of the world.
It additionally celebrates the responsibility of the followers of Islam to talk out towards oppression and immorality, and to reside pious lives in solidarity with the oppressed.
To point out their sorrow, these collaborating within the mourning parade (Jaloos) recite eulogies about Ali and beat their breasts (Seena Zani.) A coffin (Taboot) is carried as part of the procession, together with symbolic flags. There may be additionally an extended session of recitations earlier than the parade.
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Tags: 2005, Bankside, beating breasts, Borough Market, Globe Theatre, harvest pageant, Hub-E-Ali, Islam, simply Islamic ruler, justice, London, London Pictures, Marble Arch, Martydom of Ali, martyr, morality, mourning, October Lots, Park Lane, peace, peter Marshall, procession, Shia Muslims, The Lions half
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