Mandaean mouth-veil
Pandama |
Type | mouth-veil |
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Material | cloth |
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Place of origin | southern Iraq and southwestern Iran |
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The pandama (Classical Mandaic: 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 Qolasta
Several prayers in the Qolasta 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]: 29