Masbuta: the Mandaean Baptism
The Mandaean religion (also known as "Sabean" religion) is an ancient pre-Christian minority religion of ancient baptists who hold in respect John the Baptist as their principal teacher. Baptism is the central religious ritual of the Mandaeans. They practice repeated baptisms in fresh flowing river water or well-spring, outdoors under the public view. To the present day, the ritual is recited in Mandaic, an Aramaic language of John the Baptist. Baptism is a method of purification, healing, and self-transformation in order to enter the World of Light. There are probably fewer than 100,000 Mandaeans in the entire world. While based in Iraq and Iran, Mandaeans are neither Jewish nor Christian, nor are they related to the Kurds. As a result of persistent persecution since the first or second centuries of the Common Era to the political maltreatment of present times, these people are compelled to disperse around the world. Consequently, they are endangered and face extinction.
Mandaean baptism: Rabbi and child
As a scholar of Studies in Religion, and as a result of my academic research over the last four years into Mandaean meditative practices, my family and I have become associates and close friends of the Sydney Mandaean Community of over 2,000 adults and children from both Iran and Iraq. As a result, I hold Mandaeans in the highest regard for their purity and pacifism, as well as their warmth, intelligence, and kindness; we have a deep appreciation and admiration of their essential moral excellence.
For the Exhibition, I have selected twenty photographic prints that depict the core of the Mandaean Baptism. These prints derive from a large collection of recent photographs, of which fifty or so images (along with textual material from Mandaean holy works) have been selected for inclusion in a handmade book depicting the complete Mandaean Baptism. This will be published initially as an esoteric work for distribution to the Mandaean religious community, as well as to major libraries. Publishers have expressed interest in this collection. Also included in the Exhibition are two monochrome photographs obtained from earlier published work of Kurt Rudolph. Besides being aesthetically gratifying, the exhibition and book will provide an accurate record of the Baptism for both the Mandaean priesthood and local community, as well as providing research material for the academic community both National and International. Earlier published photographs, while interesting, are an incomplete record.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly, it is hoped that this exhibition will draw some attention to the Mandaeans and their woeful situation, at a time when the community and their practices confront annihilation. Following the recent invasion of Iraq, the situation of Mandaean, Christian and other minorities in that country has worsened to a great extent, with increasing injustice and further subversion of human dignity. This has distressful repercussions with regard to the Mandaean community resident in Australia, and to Mandaeans attempting to gain entry and asylum in Australia. While celebrating Mandaean contemplative practices in their ritual context, this exhibition may, in some way, comfort as well as help facilitate the entry of Mandaeans into the Australian community.
Acknowledgements
I am deeply honoured and grateful to the Mandaean community of Sydney for their warm and tender welcome as well as their unqualified support throughout the photographic recording of their holy Baptism. Great affection and special thanks are extended to Brikha H.S. Nas oraia, spiritual leader of the Mandaean community, for his expert advice, support, and collaboration in bringing this exhibition to fruition.
My colleagues in the Department of Studies in Religion and the School of English, Art History, Film & Media at the University of Sydney deserve respectful recognition for their ongoing interest and support for this work in its contribution to the larger research project jointly investigated with Brikha H.S. Nas oraia. This is entitled: To Know the Great Mind: The Origin and Development of the Mandaean Means to Enlightenment. In particular, I thank Associate Professor Adrian Mitchell, Head of School of English, Art History, Film & Media for essential financial assistance and valuable advice.
Peace All Ways,
Edward F. Crangle
July 2005