Literature Atlas

How Stories Are Told
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Genre

Ta'zieh

Dramatic Genres

Ta'zieh, also spelled ta'ziyeh, is a dramatic art form genre of Iran performed by Shia Muslims, historically also called shabih-khani. Performances of ta'zieh have often been described as Iranian passion plays: they reenact the events of the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, centering on the tragic death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, along with his family members and companions.

Facts
Place of Origin
Iran, performed by Shia Muslims 1
Notable Example
The Takyeh Dowlat, built by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar in Tehran, was the most famous takyeh, or ta'zieh performance venue 1
Defining Trait
Reenacts the Battle of Karbala (680 CE) and the death of Husayn ibn Ali 1
Sources
1. Ta'zieh (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)
  • Etymology and terminology section, definition clause
    is a dramatic art form of Iran, performed by Shia Muslims
  • Performance spaces section
    the most famous takyeh being the Takyeh Dowlat built by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and formerly situated in Tehran
  • Lead section, opening paragraphs
    They reenact the events of the Battle of Karbala (680 CE), centering on the tragic death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, along with his family members and companions on the plains of Karbala (present-day Iraq).
View the Source
Frequently Asked Questions

What events does Ta'zieh reenact?

It reenacts the Battle of Karbala and the death of Husayn ibn Ali.

Ta'zieh reenacts the Battle of Karbala of 680 CE, centering on the tragic death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, along with his family members and companions. Because of this, performances are often described as Iranian passion plays.

Where was Ta'zieh traditionally performed?

The Takyeh Dowlat in Tehran was the most famous venue.

The most famous venue was the Takyeh Dowlat, a takyeh built by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar in Tehran. A takyeh is the kind of space in which ta'zieh performances were staged.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.