Transformation of Shi'a Mourning Rituals from the Buyid Era to the Safavid Period with an Emphasis on the Emergence of Ta'ziyeh and Ritual Symbolism

Abstract

Shi'a mourning rituals have undergone a complex trajectory of transformation from the early Islamic centuries to the Safavid period, gradually evolving from simple ceremonies into structured ritual practices with performative and social dimensions. The primary aim of this study is to examine the historical process of the transformation of Shi'a mourning rituals from the Buyid era to the end of the Safavid period, with particular emphasis on the emergence of ta'ziyeh and the development of ritual symbolism within these ceremonies. The central hypothesis of this research is that Shi'a mourning rituals—especially in the form of ta'ziyeh and through the use of symbols such as the ‘alam (banner), nakhl (palm-shaped bier), shamayel (iconic representations), and symbolic costumes—not only reflected the religious sentiments of the Shi'a community, but were also systematically organized and institutionalized by governments, particularly the Safavid state, as instruments for social cohesion, political legitimization, and the reinforcement of religious identity. The methodology of this research is descriptive-analytical and is based on historical documents, library sources, jurisprudential texts, literary works, and accounts by European travel writers. The findings indicate that the foundational elements of legitimizing mourning rituals began to take shape during the Buyid era. However, it was during the Safavid period—with the formal adoption of Shi'ism as the state religion and the state's active support of these rituals—that ta'ziyeh developed into the most prominent form of Shi'a religious performance and emerged as a powerful cultural-political element. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that mourning rituals—especially ta'ziyeh—while preserving traditional elements, extended their functions beyond grief and mourning and played a fundamental role in shaping the social order and the religio-political identity structure of Safavid Iran.