Yarun Ceremony of Aqda

The ceremonies held in the month of Muharram in Iran are the manifestations of people’s devotion to the noble martyrs of Karbala. A few days before the start of Muharram, Iranians get busy installing black flags (as a sign of mourning) and special symbols of Muharram. Muharram mourning begins on the first night of this month and reaches its peak on the ninth and tenth days (Tasua and Ashura) and continues until the next 50 days (the end of the month of Safar). Of course, similar weekly or monthly ceremonies may be held at other times of the year in different neighborhoods and cities of Iran.

Holding the mourning ceremony for Imam Husayn (AS) over the centuries has resulted in the formation of a number of traditions and rituals that are now an important part of the culture of Iran. These rituals have their own features and peculiarities in every nook and corner of Iran that are in alignment with their culture, geography, and history. Some of these ceremonies and rituals have been inscribed on the list of Iran’s intangible national heritage because of their unique characteristics, one example of which is the Yarun Ceremony of Aqda.

Where Is Aqda?

Aqda is a city in, and the capital of, Aqda District of Ardakan County of Yazd Province and is situated in the north of this province. Aqda is about 32 km away from Ardakan city and its climate is hot and dry. This city has hosted the sacred fire of Zoroastrians for nearly 700 years and has a special reputation for it. Some sources date back the longevity of this city to six thousand years ago. Like other desert cities of Iran, Aqda has houses made of clay and mud. The urban fabric of Yazd Province contains structural works from the era of Aal-e Muzaffar/ Muzaffarid dynasty (a local government that ruled this region in the 14th century AD) up to the contemporary era and, therefore, can be described as unique.

How Is the Yarun Ceremony of Aqda Held?

This ceremony is held on the first five nights of Muharram, the first night of Safar, and the last decade of Safar. Every Thursday, too, a similar ritual takes place in Aqda, but the scope of Muharram and Safar programs is much more widespread. The ceremony starts in the upper and lower squares of Aqda City and ends in the Grand Husayniyya of the city. The mourners participating in the Yarun Ceremony of Aqda move in two groups and the timing is such that both groups of mourners, who started from the Husayniyyas of the upper and the lower square, enter the Grand Husayniyya simultaneously. After the mourners enter the Husayniyya, two large and unified groups are formed and a person raises his right hand and loudly curses Yazid and the killers of Imam Husayn (AS) and his companions and the two groups loudly confirm his words by saying “Amen”. The mourners then form two circles and beat their chests while chanting zikrs and eulogies.

Due to the respect that the Iranian society has for elderly people, the first row of every group is reserved for them and the younger ones stand behind them. Women and girls also accompany these groups, and children walk in front of the mourners, holding flags on which the names of Imam Husayn (AS) and his companions are written. Each of the groups takes turns in chanting eulogy, and responding to the eulogy chanted by the other group.

After holding the mourning ceremony in the Grand Husayniyya, the groups that had headed toward it from the upper and lower squares, return to their own Husayniyya, and as soon as arriving there they begin to recite and chant eulogies that are being recited and chanted on the way, and the ritual of cursing that was done in the Grand Husayniyya is repeated.

Yarun Ceremony of Aqda was inscribed on the list of Iran’s intangible national heritage in the year 2015 AD.

The ceremonies held in the month of Muharram in Iran are the manifestations of people’s devotion to the noble martyrs of Karbala.