St James Comes Alive For Big Hosay Night Procession
For more than 170 years, Big Hosay Night has transformed the streets of St James into a place of remembrance and reflection.
But beyond the vibrant colours and rhythmic tassa drums lies a centuries-old story of sacrifice.
For generations, the community comes alive as thousands gather to honour the martyrs of Karbala on Big Hosay Night.
Big Hosay Night and the Day of Ashura are, in Islamic tradition, one continuous observance.
The towering, intricately decorated tadjahs represent the tomb of Imam Hussain and the martyrs of Karbala. Every year, many line the streets for a close-up look at the handcrafted replicas as they make their way through the community.
Surrounding the tadjahs are the moons, symbolising the brothers Hussain, Hassan and Abbas. Their ceremonial dance is among the most anticipated moments of the night.
At midnight, each tadjah is blessed with a symbolic kiss from the moons.
For many devotees, the annual procession is also a sacred promise kept.
Unable to make the pilgrimage to Karbala each year, generations before them vowed to honour Imam Husayn by constructing tadjahs as lasting symbols of remembrance.
The daytime procession includes prayers at the Queen’s Royal College grounds before the tadjahs continue their final journey through the streets of St James.
