Illustrations

       Figure 1. An unadorned nakhl frame from Nain

       Figure 2. A large nakhl from Mahriz

       Figure 3. A nineteenth-century muḥarram procession

       Figure 4. A nineteenth-century majlis

       Figure 5. An attendant fanning a ta‘zi̅yah

       Figure 6. The inside of an imāmbāṛā, with a ta‘zi̅yah and a rauz̤eh khvān

       Figure 7. A nineteenth-century standard bearer

       Figure 8. A contemporary muḥarram ‘alam

       Figure 9. Nineteenth-century tassa player

       Figure 10. Nineteenth-century bass player

       Figure 11. An Indian sipar

       Figure 12. A muḥarram procession with ta‘zi̅yahs and men performing mātam

       Figure 13. Master tadjah builder Anthony “Muggy” Millette

       Figure 14. Kirk “Purple” Rodriguez working on a tadjah

       Figure 15. Trinidadian youths practicing drumming

       Figure 16. A chowk with tassa drums

       Figure 17. Noble Bisnath playing his bass on the streets

       Figure 18. Drummers perform in unison during a procession

       Figure 19. Named tassa drums hanging in a drum room

       Figure 20. A bass maker busy at work

       Figure 21. Women carrying flags

       Figure 22. A cutter performing in front of a chowk

       Figure 23. A pensive bass player

       Figure 24. The green moon resting on its chowk

       Figure 25. The Balma katheeyah on Small Hosay Night, 1991

       Figure 26. Noble Bisnath crowning a tadjah

       Figure 27. Another step in crowning a tadjah

       Figure 28. A completed tadjah resting on a chowk

       Figure 29. A tadjah being kissed by the red moon

       Figure 30. Tassa drummers heading to the Queen’s Royal College

       Figure 31. The two St. James moons prior to the janaaza prayers