Mandaean priest

Ordained religious leader in Mandaeism

Part of a series on

Mandaeism

Prophets

* Adam
* Seth
* Noah
* Shem
* John the Baptist

Names for adherents

* Mandaeans
* Sabians
* Nasoraeans
* Gnostics

Scriptures

* Ginza Rabba
* Right Ginza
* Left Ginza
* Mandaean Book of John
* Qulasta (list)
* Haran Gawaita
* The Wedding of the Great Shishlam
* The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa
* Diwan Abatur
* The Thousand and Twelve Questions
* Scroll of Exalted Kingship
* The Coronation of the Great Shishlam
* Alma Rišaia Rba
* Alma Rišaia Zuṭa
* Zihrun Raza Kasia
* Scroll of the Parwanaya
* Book of the Zodiac
* Dmut Kušṭa
* Scroll of the Rivers
* Secrets of the Ancestors
* Scroll of the Ancestors

Priests

* Rishama
* Ganzibra
* Tarmida
* Shganda

Individual leaders

* Miriai
* Shlama beth Qidra
* Zazai of Gawazta
* Anush Bar Danqa
* Yahya Bihram
* Dakhil Aidan
* Jabbar Choheili
* Sattar Jabbar Hilow
* Najah Choheili
* Salah Choheili
* Brikha Nasoraia

Rituals

* Masbuta
* Masiqta
* Tamasha
* Rishama
* Kushta
* Qabin
* Misha

Ritual food and drink

* Mambuha
* Halalta
* Hamra
* Pihta
* Fatira
* Zidqa brikha
* Lofani
* Sa
* Dukrana

Practices

* Belief in Oneness of God
* Daily prayer
* Baptism
* Fasting
* Almsgiving

Objects and symbols

* Drabsha
* Rasta
* Burzinqa
* Pandama
* Klila
* Taga
* Riha
* Skandola

Cosmology

* Hayyi Rabbi
* World of Light
* Mana
* Manda
* Uthra
* Manda d-Hayyi
* Yushamin
* Abatur
* Ptahil
* Hibil
* Shitil
* Anush
* Sam Ziwa
* Bihram Rabba
* Adathan
* Yadathan
* Shilmai
* Nidbai
* Yawar Ziwa
* Simat Hayyi
* Yufin-Yufafin
* Nsab
* Nbat
* Gubran
* Shihlun
* Urfeil
* Marfeil
* Saureil
* Zihrun
* Etinsib Ziwa
* Piriawis
* Tarwan
* Yura
* Yurba
* Yukashar
* Ziwa
* Shahrat
* Malwasha
* Nishimta
* Dinanukht
* Shishlam
* Ezlat
* škina
* Dmuta
* Mshunia Kushta
* Adam kasia
* Adam pagria
* Shatrin
* Laufa
* Hitfun
* Tibil
* World of Darkness
* Sea of Suf
* Siniawis
* Matarta
* Ruha
* Ur
* Krun
* Gaf
* Qin
* Zahreil
* Anathan
* Giu
* Shdum
* Zartai-Zartanai
* Hag
* Mag

Festivals

* Parwanaya
* Dehwa Rabba
* Dehwa d-Shishlam Rabba
* Dehwa Daimana
* Dehwa Hanina
* Abu al-Haris (Ashoriya)
* Ead Fel

Places

* Yardena
* Beth Manda
* Shkinta
* Andiruna

Prayers

* Sidra d-Nishmata
* Asut Malkia
* Rushuma
* Rahma
* Tabahatan
* Shumhata
* Bshuma

Religion portal

* v
* t
* e

A Mandaean priest refers to an ordained religious leader in Mandaeism. The three ranks of Mandaean priests are the tarmida (junior priest), ganzibra (senior priest), and rishama (patriarch).

## Overview

[edit]

All priests must undergo lengthy ordination ceremonies, beginning with tarmida initiation.[1] Mandaean religious leaders and copyists of religious texts hold the title Rabbi or Rabbai (Classical Mandaic: ࡓࡁࡀࡉ, romanized: rbai), or in Arabic, Sheikh.[2][3] 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.[1] Due to the shortage of priests in the Mandaean diaspora, halala (Classical Mandaic: ࡄࡀࡋࡀࡋࡀ) 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 paisaq (Classical Mandaic: ࡐࡀࡉࡎࡀࡒ).[4]: 338 Ritually clean laymen who are literate in Mandaic and can read Mandaean scriptures are known as yalufa (Classical Mandaic: ࡉࡀࡋࡅࡐࡀ, romanized: ialupa).[5]: 15

## Names

[edit]

In Mandaean scriptures, priests are referred to as Naṣuraiia (Classical Mandaic: ࡍࡀࡑࡅࡓࡀࡉࡉࡀ, lit. 'Naṣoraeans')[6] or occasionally as Tarmiduta (Classical Mandaic: ࡕࡀࡓࡌࡉࡃࡅࡕࡀ, an abstract noun derived from tarmida). On the other hand, laypeople are referred to as Mandaiia (Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀࡉࡉࡀ, lit. 'Gnostics, Knowers, Enlightened Ones').[7]: 116 Naṣuraiia are considered to have naṣiruta, or esoteric divine knowledge. (Brikha Nasoraia describes naṣiruta as the esoteric strand of Mandaeism, similar to how Sufism is related to Islam.)[7]

## Priests

[edit]

There are three types of priests in Mandaeism:[1]

* rišama (Classical Mandaic: ࡓࡉࡔࡀࡌࡀ; Modern Mandaic: rišammā[5]: 219 ) "leader of the people"
* ganzibria (Classical Mandaic: ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡉࡀ) "treasurers" (from Old Persian ganza-bara "treasurers", Neo-Mandaic ganzeḇrānā)
* tarmidia (Classical Mandaic: ࡕࡀࡓࡌࡉࡃࡉࡀ) "disciples" (Neo-Mandaic tarmidānā)

Priests have lineages based on the succession of ganzibria priests who had initiated them. Priestly lineages, which are distinct from birth lineages, are typically recorded in the colophons of many Mandaean texts. The position is not hereditary, and any yalufa (yalupa), or Mandaean male who is highly knowledgeable about religious matters, is eligible to become a priest.[4]

Traditionally, any ganzeḇrā who baptizes seven or more ganzeḇrānā may qualify for the office of rišama. The current rišama of the Mandaean community in Iraq is Sattar Jabbar Hilow al-Zahrony. In Australia, the rišama of the Mandaean community is Salah Choheili.[8][9]

A shganda (šganda) or ashganda (ašganda)[6] is a ritual assistant who helps priests with ritual duties. Prior to ordination, many priests have typically served as shganda as young men, although this is not a requirement.[1]

## History

[edit]

Zazai of Gawazta, who was active during the 270s AD during the reign of Sasanian Emperor Bahram I, is widely considered to be one of the first Mandaean priests. During the Muslim conquests of the 630s, the Mandaean priest Anush bar Danqa, led a delegation before the Muslim authorities to have the Mandaeans recognized as a People of the Book.[10][1]

The contemporary Mandaean priesthood can trace its immediate origins to the first half of the 19th century. In 1831, a cholera pandemic in Shushtar, Iran devastated the region and eliminated all of the Mandaean religious leaders there. Two of the surviving acolytes (šgandia), Yahia Bihram and Ram Zihrun, reestablished the Mandaean priesthood in Suq esh-Shuyuk on the basis of their own training and the texts that were available to them.[4]

Although Mandaean priests have been exclusively male since the 1900s, Buckley (2010) presents evidence that there had historically been Mandaean priests who were women, including Bibia Mudalal (the wife of Ram Zihrun during the 19th century) and Shlama beth Qidra (Šlama, daughter of Qidra, from the 3rd century AD).[4]

## Clothing

[edit]

See also: Rasta (Mandaeism)

Ritual clothing and accessories worn by Mandaean priests include:[1]

* Burzinqa: turban
* Pandama: cloth wrapped around the mouth and lower face (similar to the Tuareg litham)
* Naṣifa: stole
* Kanzala or kinzala: stole, when held under the chin
* Himiana: sacred ritual girdle (belt) used by priests
* Margna: wooden staff made from an olive branch
* Skandola: ritual iron ring with an iron chain that is used as a sacred seal. It is used to seal graves and also newborn babies on their navels.
* Gdada: strip of white cloth used to protect items from pollution, or the server from contact[11]

Mandaean priests are dressed completely in white to symbolize radiant uthras from the World of Light.[1]

## Alms

[edit]

Mandaean priests regularly receive zidqa (alms)[12] from laypeople, since priesthood is typically a full-time occupation.

## Symbolism

[edit]

Symbolically, a Mandaean priest represents an uthra on earth (Tibil).[1]

Shishlam is the personification of the prototypical or archetypal Mandaean priest.[1]

## Statistics

[edit]

See also: List of Mandaean priests

As of 2016, Rishama Salah Choheili estimated a total number of 43–44 Mandaean priests in the world, including tarmidas, ganzibras, and rishamas.[13][14]

* Australia — 13, including Rishama Salah Choheili, Rishama Brikha Nasoraia, Ganzibra Khaldoon Majid Abdullah, Tarmida Sahi Bashikh, Tarmida Yuhana Nashmi, and Tarmida Thamir Shamkhi
* Iraq — 12, led by Rishama Sattar Jabbar Hilo
* Iran — 6, including Ganzibra Najah Choheili, Ganzibra Taleb Doraji, and Tarmida Behram Khafajy[15][16]
* Jordan — 2
* Turkey — 1
* United States — 3, including Ganzibra Walid Ebadfardzadeh and Fawzi Masboob (died 2022)[17]
* Netherlands — 2, including Tarmida Rafid al-Sabti
* Denmark — 1
* Sweden — Ganzibra Salwan Alkhamas and others

There are a few Mandaean priests in Sweden, including Ganzibra Salwan Alkhamas of Södertälje and Tarmida Qais Edan of Malmö.[18] Buckley (2023) reported that in 2015, there were 8 Mandaean priests in Sweden.[17]: 23

In 2016, Salah Choheili also estimated a total number of 16 shgandas in the world who could potentially become tarmidas, 4 of whom were in Australia.[14]

During the 2000s, Rishama Abdullah Ganzibra Najam (d. 2009) was one of the few high-ranking Mandaean priests in the Netherlands.[19]

## See also

[edit]

* List of Mandaean priests
* Choheili family
* Khaffagi family
* Shishlam, a literary representation of the prototypical Mandaean priest
* Kohanim, priests in Judaism
* Ašipu, a priest in ancient Mesopotamia

## Further reading

[edit]

* Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi (2020). Rijal al-din al-mandaean 1800-2000 (The Mandaean priests 1800-2000) (in Arabic). Sydney. ISBN 978-1-876888-23-7.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi (2020). Rijal al-dean al-Mandaean fee al-Qarn al-Hadi w al-Eshreen (The Mandaean priests in twenty first century) (in Arabic). Sydney. ISBN 978-1-876888-24-4.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi (2000). Deerasat mandaeah - tareekh w-mugtaadat (Studies in Mandaeanism : history & beliefs) (in Arabic). Sydney. ISBN 0-9585705-5-8.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi (2018). Al mandaean : seralbaqa ... wal-haiat menasera (The Mandaeans : secret of survival and life is victorious) (in Arabic). Sydney. ISBN 978-1-876888-12-1.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi (2023). al-Nabatat w-al-tqoos al-Mandaiia : al-Maana w- al- esteemal (The plants and the Mandaeans rites : the meaning and use) (in Arabic). Sydney. ISBN 978-1-876888-25-1.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people (PDF). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
2. ^ McGrath, James F. (2010). "Reading the Story of Miriai on Two Levels: Evidence from Mandaean Anti-Jewish Polemic about the Origins and Setting of Early Mandaeism". ARAM Periodical. p. 583-592. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
3. ^ Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - USEK (27 November 2017), "Open discussion with the Sabaeans Mandaeans", YouTube, retrieved 10 December 2021
4. ^ a b c d Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2010). The great stem of souls: reconstructing Mandaean history. Piscataway, N.J: Gorgias Press. ISBN 978-1-59333-621-9.
5. ^ a b Häberl, Charles (2022). The Book of Kings and the Explanations of This World: A Universal History from the Late Sasanian Empire. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. doi:10.3828/9781800856271 (inactive 12 July 2025). ISBN 978-1-80085-627-1.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
6. ^ a b Drower, E. S. 1960. The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
7. ^ a b Nasoraia, Brikha H.S. (2021). The Mandaean gnostic religion: worship practice and deep thought. New Delhi: Sterling. ISBN 978-81-950824-1-4. OCLC 1272858968.
8. ^ "الريشما ستار جبار حلو رئيس ديانة الصابئة المندائيين". Mandaean Library مكتبة موسوعة العيون المعرفية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-09-21.
9. ^ "Harmony Day - Liverpool signs declaration on cultural and religious harmony". Liverpool City Champion. 25 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
10. ^ Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2010). The great stem of souls: reconstructing Mandaean history. Piscataway, N.J: Gorgias Press. ISBN 978-1-59333-621-9.
11. ^ van Rompaey, Sandra (2024). Mandaean Symbolic Art. Turnhout: Brepols. ISBN 978-2-503-59365-4.
12. ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 978-0-9580346-3-0.
13. ^ "Rishamma Salah Choheili: July 2016, Chapter 2". The Worlds of Mandaean Priests. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
14. ^ a b "Rishamma Salah Choheili, Chapter 2(Ba)". The Worlds of Mandaean Priests. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2023-09-27 - via YouTube.
15. ^ "Tarmida Behram Khafajy: April 2015". The Worlds of Mandaean Priests. 2015-03-01. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
16. ^ "Tarmida Behram Khafajy". YouTube. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
17. ^ a b Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2023). 1800 Years of Encounters with Mandaeans. Gorgias Mandaean Studies. Vol. 5\. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press. ISBN 978-1-4632-4132-2. ISSN 1935-441X.
18. ^ "Tarmida Qais Edan: Chapter 1". The Worlds of Mandaean Priests. 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
19. ^ "Tarmida Khaldoon Majid Abdulla: Chapter 2 V1". The Worlds of Mandaean Priests. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 2023-09-27 - via YouTube.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mandaean priests.

* The Worlds of Mandaean Priests

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Mandaeism

People|

* Mandaeans
* Mandaean Americans
* Mandaean Australians
* Mandaeans in Sweden
* Sabians
* Nasoraeans

Historical identities|

* Essenes
* Gnostics
* Kentaeans

Priesthood|

| Titles|

* Rishama
* Ganzibra
* Tarmida
* (Shganda)

|

Individuals|

* (List of Mandaean priests)
* Shlama beth Qidra
* Zazai of Gawazta
* Anush bar Danqa
* Yahya Bihram
* Ram Zihrun
* Bibia Mudalal
* Abdullah Khaffagi
* Negm bar Zahroon
* Dakhil Aidan
* Abdullah bar Sam
* Abdullah bar Negm
* Sattar Jabbar Hilow
* Taleb Doraji
* Jabbar Choheili
* Najah Choheili
* Salah Choheili
* Khaldoon Majid Abdullah
* Sahi Bashikh
* Yuhana Nashmi
* Brikha Nasoraia
* Rafid al-Sabti
* Salwan Alkhamas

Institutions|

* Mandaean Council of Ahvaz
* Sabian Mandaean Association in Australia

Literature|

| Main texts|

* Ginza Rabba
* Right Ginza
* Left Ginza
* Mandaean Book of John

|

Prayers|

| Qulasta (list)|

* Sidra d-Nishmata (CP 1–103)
* Rushuma (CP 104)
* Asut Malkia (CP 105)
* Eniana
* Rahma
* Tabahatan (CP 170)
* Shal Shulta (CP 171)
* Shumhata (CP 173)
* King of Kings (CP 176)
* Kušṭa asiak (CP 178)
* Kd azil bhira dakia

|

Priestly texts|

* The Thousand and Twelve Questions
* Scroll of Exalted Kingship
* The Coronation of the Great Shishlam
* The Wedding of the Great Shishlam
* Alma Rišaia Rba
* Alma Rišaia Zuṭa
* Zihrun Raza Kasia
* Scroll of the Parwanaya
* Scroll of the Great Baptism
* Scroll of the Ancestors
* The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa
* Scroll of Abatur
* Dmut Kušṭa
* Secrets of the Ancestors
* Scroll of the Rivers
* Book of the Zodiac

Historical texts|

* Haran Gawaita

Apotropaic texts|

* Incantation bowls
* Lead rolls
* Pišra d-Ainia

Cosmology|

* Tibil
* Yardna

| World of Light|

* Hayyi Rabbi
* Shkina
* Piriawis
* Mshunia Kushta
* Tarwan
* Yasana

| Uthras|

* Yushamin
* Abatur
* Ptahil
* Hibil
* Shitil
* Anush
* Sam Ziwa
* Manda d-Hayyi
* Shilmai
* Nidbai
* Adathan and Yadathan
* Yufin-Yufafin
* Urfeil and Marfeil
* Tar and Tarwan
* Bihram
* Zihrun
* Etinsib Ziwa
* Nbat
* Nsab
* Gubran
* Shihlun
* Yura
* Yurba
* Yukabar
* Yukashar
* Yawar Ziwa
* Simat Hayyi
* Saureil

| Concepts|

* Anana
* Gufna
* Ziwa

|

Intermediary realms|

* Matarta
* Hitfun
* Shahrat
* Shatrin

World of Darkness|

* Sea of Suf
* Siniawis
* Mšiha

| Demons|

* Ruha
* Ur
* Krun
* Gaf
* Qin
* Anathan
* Shdum
* Giu
* Hag and Mag
* Zartai-Zartanai
* Zahreil

|

Planets|

* Shamish (Sun)
* Libat (Venus)
* Nbu (Mercury)
* Sin (Moon)
* Kiwan (Saturn)
* Bil (Jupiter)
* Nirig (Mars)

Important figures|

* Adam
* Seth
* Abel
* Enosh
* Noah
* Shem
* Miriai
* Elizabeth
* John the Baptist

Mythical figures|

* Dinanukht
* Shishlam
* Ezlat

Concepts|

* Kushta (truth)
* Manda (gnosis)
* Laufa (communion)
* Dmuta (image)
* Nishimta (soul)
* Ruha (spirit)
* Mana (mind)
* Adam Kasia (hidden Adam)
* Adam Pagria (bodily Adam)

Objects and symbols|

* Drabsha (banner)
* Misha (oil)
* Riha (incense)
* Skandola (talisman seal)
* Tariana (tray)

Ritual food and drink|

| Drinks|

* Mambuha
* Halalta
* Hamra

|

Foods|

* Pihta
* Fatira
* Sa

Meals|

* Dukrana
* Lofani
* Zidqa brikha

Clothing|

* Rasta (robe)
* Burzinqa (turban)
* Pandama (mouth-veil)
* Himiana (girdle)
* Margna (staff)
* Klila (wreath)
* Taga (crown)

Rituals and practices|

* Masbuta (baptism)
* Tamasha (triple ablution)
* Rishama (minor ablution)
* Masiqta (death mass)
* Qabin (wedding)
* Brakha (prayer)
* Sahduta (creed)
* Bshuma (name of God)
* Sauma (fasting)
* Zidqa (almsgiving)
* Naming

Buildings and structures|

* Mandi
* Baghdad Mandi
* Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi
* Yahya Yuhana Mandi
* Wallacia Mandi
* Shkinta
* Andiruna

Calendar|

| Feasts|

* Dehwa Rabba
* Feast of the Great Shishlam
* Dehwa Hanina
* Abu al-Haris
* Parwanaya
* Dehwa Daimana

|

Months|

* Daula
* Nuna
* ʿmbra
* Taura
* Ṣilmia
* Sarṭana
* Aria
* Šumbulta
* Qaina
* Arqba
* Hiṭia
* Gadia

Epochs|

* Adam and Eve
* Ram and Rud
* Shurbai and Sharhabeil
* Noah and Nuraita

Language|

* Mandaic
* Neo-Mandaic
* Alphabet
* Unicode block

Scholarly disciplines|

* Mandaean studies

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