The Arbaeen Pilgrimage as Unintended Drama Therapy

Abstract

The Arbaeen pilgrimage, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, is one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world, drawing more than 20 million participants to Karbala, Iraq. While its primary purpose is devotional, the pilgrimage also functions as a profound site of psychological release, communal solidarity, and spiritual renewal. This article explores the Arbaeen pilgrimage as an unintended form of drama therapy, combining theoretical analysis with empirical evidence from a survey of 300 pilgrims conducted in 2024. Ritual practices such as chest-beating, lamentation poetry, and Tashabih plays reflect key drama therapy mechanisms, including catharsis, empathy, role-play, and transformation. Survey data indicate that 83% of participants experienced emotional catharsis, 78% reported spiritual transformation, 72% deepened their connection to the Karbala narrative, and 88% emphasized a profound sense of belonging. Beyond these ritual expressions, the study highlights the extraordinary generosity of the Iraqi people during Arbaeen: local residents and volunteers provide pilgrims with food, massages, rest, shelter in homes, and comprehensive services in mawakib (communal tents). This hospitality transforms the arduous journey into a shared experience of compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance, reinforcing the therapeutic dimensions of the pilgrimage. The findings suggest that the Arbaeen pilgrimage operates as a culturally embedded therapeutic practice, merging religious devotion, collective mourning, and communal generosity to foster emotional release, resilience, and solidarity.