Himiana
A Mandaean priestly initiate wearing the himiana (bottom) | |
| Type | girdle or belt |
|---|---|
| Material | wool |
| Place of origin | southern Iraq and southwestern Iran |
The himiana (Classical Mandaic: ࡄࡉࡌࡉࡀࡍࡀ; modern Mandaic pronunciation: hemyanā) is a sacred ritual girdle or belt used by the Mandaeans.[1] Traditionally, it is white, tubular, and made of wool.[2]
Etymology
Himiana is a Persian loanword, like burzinqa (turban) and margna (staff).[3]
Description
Unlike the Zoroastrian kushti, which is made of 72 threads, the Mandaean himiana is made of 60 woolen threads.[2][3]
The himiana has a sewn end and an unsewn end. The sewn end, in the form of a loop, is called the arwa (ࡀࡓࡅࡀ). The unsewn end, resembling a tassel, is called the karkuša (ࡊࡀࡓࡊࡅࡔࡀ).[4]
See also
References
- ^ Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
- ^ a b Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937). The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press.
- ^ a b Gelbert, Carlos (2023). The Key to All the Mysteries of Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. pp. 577–584. ISBN 9780648795414.
- ^ Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi; Al-Mubaraki, Zaid; AlMubaraki, Brian (2000). The Mandaean Rasta: Its Making and Wearing. Northbridge, New South Wales. ISBN 0-9585705-6-6. OCLC 50163136.
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External links
- Tying the turban and the sacred belt (The Worlds of Mandaean Priests)