Ashura ceremonies take place in Tehran - in pictures

Shiites take to the streets during the holy month of Muharram to commemorate the death of the third Imam, Hussein, slain along with 72 of his comrades in a battle against the army of the seventh-century caliph Yazid. The large drums, or tabl, were used in battle to alert the public, disorient the enemy and direct troops. In keeping with the military nature of these processions, mourners simulate self-flagellation with light-weight chains to the thump of a bass drum and the crackle of a snare.