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Tarmida
A tarmida (singular form in , plural form in ; ; ) is a junior Mandaean priest, priest in Mandaeism. Ganzibras, or head priests, rank above tarmidas.Drower, E. S. 1960. ''The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis''. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Etymology Charles G. Häberl, Häberl (2022) considers the Mandaic word ''tarmida'' to be a borrowing from Hebrew ''talmid'' (). Ordination Tarmida initiates or novices ( ) can come from any "pure" family. In other words, the families must be ritually pure, meaning that there are no family members who have committed grave sins. Ritually pure laymen are also known as ''hallali'' in Mandaic language, Mandaic. Typically, the novices have been trained as ritual assistants (''shganda, šganda'' or ''ašganda'') when they were children. Initiates may or may not be married, although typically they are not yet married. In order to be ordained as a tarmida, the initiate ( ) must go through a complex series of initiation rituals lasting 68 days. V ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mandaean Priest
A Mandaean priest or ''Tarmida'' () refers to an ordained religious leader in Mandaeism. Overview All priests must undergo lengthy ordination ceremonies, beginning with tarmida initiation. Mandaean religious leaders and copyists of religious texts hold the title in Arabic, Sheikh. In Iran, they are also occasionally referred to as Mullah. All Mandaean communities traditionally require the presence of a priest, since priests are required to officiate over all important religious rituals, including masbuta, masiqta, birth and wedding ceremonies. Priests also serve as teachers, scribes, and community leaders. Many Mandaean diaspora communities do not have easy access to priests. Due to the shortage of priests in the Mandaean diaspora, ''halala'' () or learned Mandaean laymen who are ritually clean (both individually and in terms of family background) can sometimes assume minor roles typically assumed by ordained priests. Such laymen taking on limited priestly roles are called ''paisa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andiruna
An andiruna () is a temporary reed (plant), reed hut used during Mandaean priest initiation ceremonies.Ethel Stefana Drower, Drower, E. S. 1937. ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Leiden: Brill (1962 reprint). Etymology The term ''andiruna'' or ''ʿndiruna'' (''ʿndruna'') literally means 'chamber' and can also be used to refer to a qabin, wedding chamber or canopy. Ceremonial usage Several different priestly texts, including the ''Scroll of Exalted Kingship'' () and ''Alma Rišaia Rba, The Great Supreme World'' (),Drower, E. S. 1963. A Pair of Naṣoraean Commentaries: Two Priestly Documents, the Great First World and the Lesser First World'. Leiden: Brill. need to kept in the ''andiruna'' hut during the initiation ceremony, or else the ceremony would be deemed invalid without the presence of the texts. During the tarmida initiation ceremony, the initiating priest (''rba'') and the novice stay in the ''andiruna'' hut for one entire week without sleeping. The priest and the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mandaeism
Mandaeism (Mandaic language, Classical Mandaic: ),https://qadaha.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/nhura-dictionary-mandaic-english-mandaic.pdf sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnosticism, Gnostic, Monotheism, monotheistic and ethnic religion with Ancient Greek religion, Greek, Iranian religions, Iranian, and Judaism, Jewish influences. Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam#In Mandaeism, Adam, Abel#Mandaean interpretation, Abel, Seth#Mandaeism, Seth, Enos (biblical figure)#In Mandaeism, Enos, Noah#Mandaeism, Noah, Shem#In Mandaeism, Shem, Aram, son of Shem, Aram, and especially John the Baptist#Mandaeism, John the Baptist. Mandaeans consider Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, and John the Baptist prophets, with Adam being the founder of the religion and John being the greatest and Last prophet, final prophet. The Mandaeans speak an Eastern Aramaic languages, Eastern Aramaic language known as Mandaic language, Mandaic. The name 'Mandaean' comes from th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Coronation Of The Great Shishlam
''The Coronation of the Great Šišlam'' (or ''The Coronation of Shishlam Rabba''; ) is a Mandaean religious text. The text is a detailed commentary on the initiation of the tarmida (junior priests), with detailed discussions on masbuta and masiqta rituals. '' The Scroll of Exalted Kingship'' is also used extensively alongside the ''Coronation'' in tarmida initiation rituals. Similar esoteric texts that are traditionally used exclusively by Mandaean priests include ''The Thousand and Twelve Questions'', and '' The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa''. ''The Scroll of Exalted Kingship'' is essentially a much more detailed version of the ''Coronation''. Whereas the ''Coronation'' simply lists the sequences of prayers and rituals to be performed, the ''Exalted Kingship'' also provides symbolic explanations for each prayer and ritual that is performed. Manuscripts and translations In 1962, E. S. Drower published an English translation and commentary of the text, which was based on Manuscrip ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Qulasta
The Qulasta, also spelled Qolastā in older sources (; ), is a compilation of Mandaean prayers. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The prayerbook is a collection of Mandaic prayers regarding baptisms ('' maṣbuta'') and other sacred rituals involved in the ascension of the soul ('' masiqta''). In Mandaic, individual prayers are generally called ''buta'' (plural form: ''bawata''), although some prayers also known as ''qaiamta'', ''šrita'' (loosing or deconsecration prayers), and other Mandaic designations. There is no standardized version of the Qulasta; different versions can contain varying numbers of prayers, and ordering of the prayers can also vary. The most commonly used Qulasta versions are those of E. S. Drower (1959 English translation) and Mark Lidzbarski (1920 German translation). The most complete versions have approximately 340 prayers, excluding duplicates. Eric Segelberg (1958) contains a detailed study of many of the first 90 Qulasta prayers (m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shganda
In Mandaeism, a shganda (''šganda''; ), shkanda (), or ashganda (''ʔšganda'')Drower, E. S. 1960. ''The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis''. Oxford: Clarendon Press. is a ritual assistant who helps priests with ritual duties. In the Mandaean diaspora, shgandas, or alternatively learned laymen called ''yalufa'', often perform minor priestly roles due to shortages of tarmida and ganzibra priests abroad. Tarmida initiations Tarmida initiates or novices (''šualia'') have often been trained as shgandas when they were children. Initiates may or may not be married, although typically they are not yet married. During tarmida initiation ceremonies, shgandas, who represent emissaries from the World of Light, also help perform the rituals, many of which are held in a specially constructed priest initiation hut (''škinta'') and also a nearby temporary reed hut (''andiruna''). Notable shgandas * Salem Choheili (born 1935), scribe, teacher, and author in Ahvaz See also *Acolyte * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zidqa Brikha
In Mandaeism, the zidqa brikha (or ''zidqa brika''; ) is a type of ritual meal blessed by Mandaean priests. ''Zidqa'' means oblation and can also mean alms, while ''brikha'' means blessed.Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford At The Clarendon Press. Unlike the lofani, which is a minor ritual meal does not require the presence of a priest, the zidqa brikha needs to be prepared by a priest. The zidqa brikha is offered and eaten at the end of tarmida (junior priest) initiation ceremonies, after the novice's 60-day seclusion period. It is also offered at qabin, weddings and during the Parwanaya festival. During Parwanaya, the zidqa brikha is performed privately by priests around midnight, rather than in front of a large congregation of laypeople. The ''ahaba ḏ-mania'' or ''hava ḏ-mania'' (presentation of garments) is a form of zidqa brika for those who have not died wearing the ritual garment, or for the ritually impure. It is performed on a pro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scroll Of Exalted Kingship
The ''Scroll of Exalted Kingship'' ( ; Modern Mandaic: ''Diwān Malkuthā Əlaythā'') is a Mandaean religious text. Written as a large illustrated scroll, the text consists of 1363 lines. The scroll is a commentary on the initiation of the tarmida "junior priest". Other related texts include ''The Coronation of the Great Shishlam'', also a commentary on the initiation of the tarmida, and the two esoteric textsDrower, E. S. 1963. A Pair of Naṣoraean Commentaries: Two Priestly Documents, the Great First World and the Lesser First World'. Leiden: Brill. '' Alma Rišaia Rba'' "The Great 'First World'", DC 41 and '' Alma Rišaia Zuṭa'' "The Lesser 'First World'", DC 48. Manuscripts and translations An English translation of the text, based on Manuscript 34 of the Drower Collection (commonly abbreviated DC 34), was published by Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley in 1993. A typesetted Mandaic version of DC 34 was published by Majid Fandi Al-Mubaraki in 2002. MS RRC 2O, another manuscript ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
šganda
In Mandaeism, a shganda (''šganda''; ), shkanda (), or ashganda (''ʔšganda'')Drower, E. S. 1960. ''The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis''. Oxford: Clarendon Press. is a ritual assistant who helps priests with ritual duties. In the Mandaean diaspora, shgandas, or alternatively learned laymen called ''yalufa'', often perform minor priestly roles due to shortages of tarmida and ganzibra priests abroad. Tarmida initiations Tarmida initiates or novices (''šualia'') have often been trained as shgandas when they were children. Initiates may or may not be married, although typically they are not yet married. During tarmida initiation ceremonies, shgandas, who represent emissaries from the World of Light, also help perform the rituals, many of which are held in a specially constructed priest initiation hut (''škinta'') and also a nearby temporary reed hut (''andiruna''). Notable shgandas * Salem Choheili (born 1935), scribe, teacher, and author in Ahvaz See also *Acolyte * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shkinta
In Mandaeism, a shkinta () or shkina (''škina'') is a celestial dwelling inhabited by uthras in the World of Light that is analogous to the shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. In Tibil (the physical earth), it refers to a reed or mud hut that is used during Mandaean priest initiation ceremonies, since Mandaean priests represent uthras on earth. Drower, E. S. 1937. ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Leiden: Brill (1962 reprint). Ceremonial usage During the priest initiation ceremony, the shkinta is constructed to the north of the andiruna. It symbolizes the World of Light and it covered by a white cloth roof. In contrast, the andiruna has a blue cloth roof to symbolize the color of Ruha. Together, the two adjacent huts symbolize complementary masculine and feminine elements. Symbolism The ''škinta'' (cognate with the Hebrew word ''shekhinah''; from the Semitic root ''š-k-n'', associated with dwellings) symbolizes the "male" side, and is associated with the World of Light, pri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ganzibra
A ganzibra (singular form in , plural form in , literally 'treasurer' in Mandaic; ) is a high priest in Mandaeism. Tarmidas, or junior priests, rank below the ganzibras.Drower, E. S. 1960. ''The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis''. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Symbolically, ganzibras are considered to be uthras on earth ( Tibil). Their responsibilities include performing masbuta, masiqta, wedding ceremonies, and other rituals, all of which can only be performed by priests. They must prepare their own food to maintain ritual purity. Ganzibra priests are also prohibited from consuming stimulants such as wine, tobacco, and coffee. Ordination The ganzibras go through an elaborate set of initiation rituals that are separate from those performed for the tarmidas. According Drower (1937), a ganzibra can only be initiated immediately before the death of a pious member of the Mandaean community. Two ganzibras and two shgandas are required to perform the initiation. Drower, E. S. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
škinta
In Mandaeism, a shkinta () or shkina (''škina'') is a celestial dwelling inhabited by uthras in the World of Light that is analogous to the shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. In Tibil (the physical earth), it refers to a reed (plant), reed or mud hut that is used during Mandaean priest initiation ceremonies, since Mandaean priests represent uthras on earth.Ethel Stefana Drower, Drower, E. S. 1937. ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Leiden: Brill (1962 reprint). Ceremonial usage During the priest initiation ceremony, the shkinta is constructed to the north of the andiruna. It symbolizes the World of Light and it covered by a white cloth roof. In contrast, the andiruna has a blue cloth roof to symbolize the color of Ruha. Together, the two adjacent huts symbolize complementary masculine and feminine elements. Symbolism The ''škinta'' (cognate with the Hebrew word ''shekhinah''; from the Semitic root ''š-k-n'', associated with dwellings) symbolizes the "male" side, and is associat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
