The Arbaeen march to Karbala as an icon of re-shaping a collective cultural identity

Community life is a background to cultural identity, and myth is a cultural category that can guide and mold people's lifestyle. Myths fulfill various functions that prove effective on religio-mystical levels, hence influential on reinforcing the cultural identity. From this perspective, the Arbaeen march symbolizes a community's unity that prevents its dispersion, hence making a ground for actions on the community level.
Drawing upon Joseph Capmbell's mystical components, this paper studies the participants' experience of the march for coming up with a definite cultural identity.
As the event of Ashura has been of much significance for Shiites, the Arbaeen march has embodied a much deeper value for them.