Pandama Explained

The pandama (myz|ࡐࡀࡍࡃࡀࡌࡀ) is a mouth-veil worn by Mandaean men during baptismal ceremonial rituals. It is the lower end of a cloth wrapped around the mouth and lower face to protect from water during immersion. The upper end of the cloth is used as a turban (burzinqa).^[1]

In the Qulasta

Several prayers in the Qulasta are recited when putting on and loosening the pandama, including prayers 7 and 55.^[2]

Symbolism

According to Shahram Ebadfardzadeh, an Iranian-American yalufa (learned Mandaean layperson) in San Antonio, Texas, United States, "when the priest officiates, he is an angel, and his lower face must not be seen, but covered up."^[3]

See also

• • Litham, a similar veil covering the lower face worn by Tuareg men
• Alasho, a similar turban veil worn by Hausa men

Notes and References

1. Book: Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen. The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. Oxford University Press. New York. 2002. 0-19-515385-5. 65198443.
2. Book: Drower, E. S.. The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. E. J. Brill. 1959. Leiden.
3. Book: Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen. 1800 Years of Encounters with Mandaeans. 2023. Piscataway, NJ. Gorgias Press. Gorgias Mandaean Studies. 5. 1935-441X. 978-1-4632-4132-2.