23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
The March of the Nakhl
Captured during the Ashura ceremony in the historic village of Mazinan, near Sabzevar, Iran. A massive wooden structure called a "Nakhl" (symbolizing the coffin of Imam Hussein) is carried by a sea of mourners. This ceremony is incredibly intense and fast-paced. The crowd moves with great speed and passion, kicking up dust as they carry the heavy symbol through the village, representing a moment of collective grief and unity.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 07.2025 |
| Date Uploaded: | 11.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Sabzevar, Iran |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
| Copyright: | © Seyyed Mostafa Yousefi |