Hosay Trinidad. Frank J. Korom

Each group begins its own procession at the neighborhood masjid or at the nearby imāmbāṛā. The ‘alams that mark the imāmbāṛās are disengaged from their places of rest to be carried in the procession. Hired low-caste Hindu drummers noted for their musical expertise playing tāsās (clay kettledrums), ḍhols (wooden cylinder drums), and often cymbals, sometimes coming from as far away as Calcutta, walk at the front of the crowd (see Figures 9 and 10).⁶³ Drummers are also sometimes recruited from the Sunni community, and less frequently they may be Shi‘ah. The musicians pound out a rhythm to which all Shi‘i men respond by beating their chests with an open or closed fist. This first procession is done in verbal silence.