Drabsha

Thedrabsha^[1]^[2](Classical Mandaic:ࡃࡓࡀࡁࡔࡀ,romanized:drabša;Modern Mandaic:drafšā^[3]) ordarfash(Arabic:درفش) is the symbol of theMandaean faith.It is typically translated as 'banner'.^[4]

Etymology

The Mandaic termdrabšais derived from theMiddle Persianworddrafš,which means 'banner or standard; a flash of light; sunrise'. In Mandaic,drabšacan also mean 'a ray or beam of light'.^[5]

An uncommon variant spelling isdrapša,which may have been the original spelling.^[6]

Description and symbolism

The drabša is a banner in the shape of a cross made of two branches ofolivewood fastened together and half covered with a piece of white cloth traditionally made of pure silk, and seven branches ofmyrtle.The drabša white silk banner is not identified with theChristian cross.Instead, the four arms of the drabsha symbolize the four corners of the universe, while the puresilkcloth represents the Light of God (Hayyi Rabbi).^[7]The seven branches ofmyrtlerepresent the seven days of creation.^[8]^[9]The drabsha is viewed as a symbol of light and the light of the sun, moon and stars is envisaged to shine from it.^[10]It may be of pre-Christian origin and used originally to hang a prayer shawl during immersion in the river (masbuta).^[10]

Prayers

InE. S. Drower's version of theQulasta,prayers 330–347 (corresponding to Part 4 ofMark Lidzbarski'sOxford Collection) are dedicated to the drabša. In many of these prayers, which mention the unfurling of drabshas, individual drabshas have given names.^[11]

Šišlamiel (various prayers)
Šašlamiel (prayer 347)
Manhariel (prayer 334)
Pirun(prayer 333) (also the name of agufna)
Zihrun(prayers 332, 340, 341, 374)

Gallery

Artistic rendition of the Mandaean drabsha
Drabsha planted into the floor atYahya Yuhana Mandiin Sydney, Australia
TarmidaSahi Bashikhpreparing the drabsha atYahya Yuhana Mandiin Sydney, Australia
An actual drabsha (left) next to a symbolic drabsha (center) atGanzibra Dakhil MandiinLiverpool, Sydney,Australia
Front side of a drabsha atGanzibra Dakhil MandiinLiverpool, Sydney,Australia
Back side of a drabsha atGanzibra Dakhil MandiinLiverpool, Sydney,Australia
Adrabsha(center) carried during aParwanayafestival held inMaysan Governorate,southern Iraq in March 2019
Adrabshabeing carried to theTigrisRiver
Example of adrabsha(right), with a priest reciting from a prayerbook during amasbutaritual by theKarunRiver inAhvaz,Iran (center)
Example of adrabsha(right), with atarmidapriest reciting from a prayerbook during amasbutaritual by theKarunRiver inAhvaz,Iran (center)
A drabsha (darfash) golden necklace

References

^Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002).The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people.New York: Oxford University Press.ISBN 0-19-515385-5.OCLC 65198443.
^Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937).The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran.Oxford at the Clarendon Press.
^Gelbert, Carlos (2011).Ginza Rba.Sydney: Living Water Books.ISBN 9780958034630.
^Van Rompay, Sandi (2010)."The Symbolism of the Drabša in the Mandaean Illustrated Manuscripts: The Drabša of Radiance".ARAM Periodical.22:263–310.doi:10.2143/ARAM.22.0.2131041.
^Drower, E. S.(2020).The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis.Eugene, Oregon:Wipf and Stock.ISBN 978-1-5326-9763-0.OCLC 1149751154.
^Segelberg, Eric(1958).Maṣbuta: Studies in the Ritual of Mandaean Baptism.Uppsala: Almqvist and Wiksell.
^Mite, Valentinas (14 July 2004)."Iraq: Old Sabaean-Mandean Community is Proud of Its Ancient Faith".Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.Retrieved4 November2021.
^Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - USEK (27 November 2017)."Open discussion with the Sabaeans Mandaeans".YouTube.Retrieved9 November2021.
^Sly, Liz (16 November 2008)."'This is one of the world's oldest religions, and it is going to die.'".Chicago Tribune.Retrieved9 November2021.
^^a ^bMandaean Awareness and Guidance Board (28 May 2014)."Mandaean Beliefs & Mandaean Practices".Mandaean Associations Union.Retrieved10 November2021.
^Drower, E. S. (1959).The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans.Leiden: E. J. Brill.

External links

Preparing the drabsha(video)

[Buckley_2002-1] Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002).The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people.New York: Oxford University Press.ISBN 0-19-515385-5.OCLC 65198443.

[auto-2] Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937).The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran.Oxford at the Clarendon Press.

[GR_Gelbert-3] Gelbert, Carlos (2011).Ginza Rba.Sydney: Living Water Books.ISBN 9780958034630.

[4] Van Rompay, Sandi (2010)."The Symbolism of the Drabša in the Mandaean Illustrated Manuscripts: The Drabša of Radiance".ARAM Periodical.22:263–310.doi:10.2143/ARAM.22.0.2131041.

[Adam-5] Drower, E. S.(2020).The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis.Eugene, Oregon:Wipf and Stock.ISBN 978-1-5326-9763-0.OCLC 1149751154.

[Segelberg-6] Segelberg, Eric(1958).Maṣbuta: Studies in the Ritual of Mandaean Baptism.Uppsala: Almqvist and Wiksell.

[7] Mite, Valentinas (14 July 2004)."Iraq: Old Sabaean-Mandean Community is Proud of Its Ancient Faith".Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.Retrieved4 November2021.

[8] Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - USEK (27 November 2017)."Open discussion with the Sabaeans Mandaeans".YouTube.Retrieved9 November2021.

[Sly-9] Sly, Liz (16 November 2008)."'This is one of the world's oldest religions, and it is going to die.'".Chicago Tribune.Retrieved9 November2021.

[MAU-10] Mandaean Awareness and Guidance Board (28 May 2014)."Mandaean Beliefs & Mandaean Practices".Mandaean Associations Union.Retrieved10 November2021.

[Drower_1959-11] Drower, E. S. (1959).The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans.Leiden: E. J. Brill.

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