The margna (Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡓࡂࡍࡀ) is a ritual olive wooden staff carried by Mandaean priests. A Mandaean priest always carries his margna during baptismal (masbuta) rituals.[1]
 A Mandaean novice or šualia ࡔࡅࡀࡋࡉࡀ holding a margna in Baghdad, Iraq in 2008 | |
| Type | staff |
|---|---|
| Material | wood (typically olive) |
| Place of origin | southern Iraq and southwestern Iran |
According to the Right Ginza, the margna (staff) of Living Water (Mia Hayya) is one of the weapons of Manda d-Hayyi.[2]
Etymology
editThe Mandaic word margna is of Iranian origin.[3]
In the Qulasta
editDuring priestly rituals, a klila (myrtle wreath) is placed on the margna.[1] In the Qulasta, Prayer 79 is a prayer for the klila placed on the margna.[4]
Prayer 14 in the Qulasta is dedicated to the margna.[4] The prayer describes the margna as being covered in radiance (ziwa) and light (nhura).[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people (PDF). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
- ^ Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
- ^ Segelberg, Eric (1958). Maṣbuta: Studies in the Ritual of Mandaean Baptism. Uppsala: Almqvist and Wiksell.
- ^ a b Drower, E. S. (1959). The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Leiden: E. J. Brill.