Self-flagellation ritual
Ashura, the 10th of Muharram is a holy day for Muslims and especial day for Shi’a. This day is a remarkable day of Muharram in Islamic calendar, the day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussian the son Ali and the grandson of Muhammad in the battle of Karbala in the year 61 (AD 680).
Apparently Hussain with his 72 colleagues whom were all from his own family and relatives killed in the battle which took place in Karbala in the land of Iraq on the shore of the Euphrates River.