Paper short abstract:

This paper explores ritual as a spatial system, intertwining the notion of ritual and space. This idea is articulated around the notion of 'matam' in the Shi'i ritual of Muharram in Mumbai. The notion of matam is referred to flagellation rituals and space that is generated by the rituals.

Paper long abstract:

There are substantial preceding ritual studies in which rituals have been studied in association with space; this paper, however, approaches ritual as a profoundly spatial phenomenon. This idea is contextualised through exploring the notion of 'matam' in the Shi'i rituals of Muharram in Mumbai (India). Shi'a-Muslims carry the rituals of Muharram, named after the first month of Islamic-lunar calendar, to commemorate the tragedy of martyrdom of Hussein, the grand-son of the Prophet Mohammad. The event marked the division in Islam between Shi'a-Muslims and the majority Sunnis.

In the context of Mumbai, the term of matam simultaneously refers to a ritual practice and the space, generated through the ritual. In one hand matam refers to diverse form of flagellations. On the other hand, matam refers to the venue where flagellation is practised. Matam would be practised in particular religious places or through the procession. Therefore matam, as a space, would be manifested in a religious place like an Imambara, or in street while the flagellators are carrying the ritual through processions. No matter where matam is spatially manifested, it would be sacred and entering into it has its own custom. The ritual of matam within procession particularly illuminates ritual as spatial system, created without any physical/built implementation. Here, matam as a space and ritual not only linguistically, but also conceptually are intertwined, articulating the notion of ritual as a spatial system.