Hyderabad, India.
In the holy month of Muharram, a ritual takes place late after midnight. Crowds wearing black assemble in darkened streets. A prayer is made, by a gathering of mourners called Majlis. Four to five quintals of coal are brought, spread out on the road and set alight. The heat is so intense that those standing on the periphery of the coals start to shield their faces.
One by one, community members take it in turns to walk across the burning coals while carrying the Alam (insignia) of Hussein’s house. Fire walking brings to mind the classic image of India as the Orient – although tips on how to do so are now available on the internet, rather than exclusively to Sadhus and sages. One’s feet must be covered in perspiration or water, so as to produce an insulating effect through its evaporation. In Physics, this is called the Leidenfrost Effect, and it has spared many a fire walker from certain burns – although they must take heed to walk briskly.
This ritual exists in two parts and timeframes for the childless. They pray for children in this time, finding it auspicious. Those who have subsequently had children must then pass them through the burning coals when the time arrives.
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