Ganzibra
A ganzibra (singular form in Classical Mandaic: ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡀ, plural form in Classical Mandaic: ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡉࡀ, literally 'treasurer' in Mandaic; Persian: گنزورا) is a head priest in Mandaeism. Tarmida, or junior priests, rank below the ganzibra.[1]
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Symbolically, ganzibras are considered to be uthras on earth (Tibil). Their responsbilities include performing masbuta, masiqta, wedding ceremonies, and other rituals, all of which can only be performed by priests.[2] Ganzibra priests are prohibited from consuming stimulants such as wine, tobacco, and coffee.[3]
Ordination
The ganzibras go through an elaborate set of initiation rituals that are separate from those performed for the tarmidas.[2] 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.[3]
The bukra is the first masiqta performed by a ganzibra priest just after ordination.[4]
References
- Drower, E. S. 1960. The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
- Drower, E. S.. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Leiden: Brill (1962 reprint).
- Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
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