HOSAY
SMALL HOSAY
TONIGHT
By Wayne Bowman
Trinidad Guardian
April 13, 2000
Page 2
The
Shiite community of Trinidad, particularly those in St James,
will tonight commemorate the murder of Ali Asghar, the great grandson of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad, founder of the Islamic faith.
Tonight's
segment of the Hosay observance is commonly known as Small Hosay and recollects
the slaying of six-month-old Asghar on the ninth night of Muharram at the great
battle on the day of Ashura.
After
having fasted for 10 days and nights while participating in the construction of
the tadjahs, which represent the tombs where Asghar and his father, Imam
Hussein, were laid to rest, troupes of tassa drummers will take to the streets
of St James from around 11 p.m.
They
will accompany the small tadjahs, built by various Shiite families as they
proceed along the Western Main Road.
At some
point during the night the drummers will play the Dead Hand, a slow,
mournful rhythm in remembrance of the slaying of Asghar. This is the only time one will hear this
rhythm being played.
As the
Dead Hand plays, the Shiites recall that moment when an arrow was shot
through Asghar's neck, pinning him to his father's hand as he held him, begging
the enemy for some water for his son.
The
term Hosay is derived from Hussein, grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammed.
Despite
threats of death from Yezid, the then Governor of Syria and persecutor of
Islam, Hussein set out with his family and close friends for a pilgrimage to
Kerbala to fulfill his obligations to Allah.
As they arrived at the desert sands of Kerbala, Hussein's horse refused
to go further and he declared he and his entourage of 72 would then be
martyred.
Yezid's
army attacked and Hussein and followers were all killed.