Water, Light, and Faith: Mandaeans Celebrate Creation Festival "Parwanaya"

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Along the serene riverbanks, where water glistens under the sun’s embrace, the Mandaean Sabian community gathers to celebrate their most sacred festival, Parwanaya. Also known as "The Five White Days," this annual Feast of Creation is steeped in ancient tradition, marking a time of purification, renewal, and unity.

For Mandaeans, water is more than a life-giving element; it is a divine force, an eternal conduit connecting them to the celestial realm.

Throughout these five days—believed to merge into a single, indistinguishable day of light—the community immerses itself in prayers, fasting, almsgiving, and sacred baptisms, reaffirming their faith and heritage.

Parwanaya: The Most Sacred of Mandaean Festivals

The Feast of Creation is one of four annual Mandaean celebrations, alongside the Great Feast (Dehwa Rabba), the Golden Baptism Festival (Dehwa Dimana), and the Festival of Prosperity (Dehwa Hanina).

However, Parwanaya holds the highest spiritual significance. According to Mandaean doctrine, it was during these five days that God created the heavens and the earth, bringing forth the foundations of existence.

The festival is also called "Panja," derived from the ancient Mandaic word for "five."

During this sacred period, Mandaeans perform a series of profound rituals. Prayers and blessings are recited, food is shared generously, and acts of charity are encouraged, reinforcing communal bonds and spiritual devotion.

Most importantly, baptismal ceremonies take place in flowing rivers, symbolizing purification and rebirth. The water, ever central to Mandaean spirituality, is believed to carry divine blessings, washing away impurities and renewing the soul’s connection with the world of light.

Parwanaya, celebrated annually in March, is not just a festival but a cosmological event in Mandaean belief. It commemorates the creation of the universe and the emergence of divine spirits.

Mandaeans hold that during these days, the gates of divine light open, allowing angelic beings to descend and fill the world with celestial radiance. This sacred time offers believers an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection and closer communion with the divine.

The Mandaean Language and Sacred Texts

Mandaeans have preserved their unique linguistic and theological heritage through the Mandaic language, an ancient Semitic tongue closely related to Syriac.

They believe that Adam, the first human, spoke Mandaic and received the earliest divine revelations in this language.

Their most revered religious text, the Ginza Rba ("Great Treasure"), also known as Sidra Adam, is a comprehensive scripture written in Eastern Aramaic.

The Ginza Rba consists of two distinct parts: one detailing commandments, ethical teachings, and earthly wisdom, while the other explores the soul’s journey beyond mortal existence, guiding it back to the world of light.

Mandaeans in History and Migration

Originating in the Mesopotamian heartlands, the Mandaean faith later spread to regions including Palestine, the Levant, and Egypt.

Their places of worship, called Mandi, are typically modest reed-built structures near flowing rivers or springs, adhering to the religious mandate that baptisms be conducted in natural, living water.

The sacred architecture follows a specific orientation: the entrance faces south, while the altar is positioned northward, aligning with Mandaean eschatological beliefs regarding divine judgment.

Mandaeans are considered one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religious groups. Their presence in the ancient city of Ur and the marshlands of southern Iraq attests to their deep historical roots. However, their numbers have dwindled significantly in modern times due to persecution, displacement, and forced migration.

Decline of Iraq’s Mandaean Population

Once a thriving community in Iraq, Mandaeans have faced severe challenges over the past few decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, their population was several times larger than it is today, but due to targeted violence, political instability, and religious persecution, their numbers have plummeted to fewer than 8,000.

Many have been forced to flee their ancestral lands, seeking refuge in Kurdistan, Europe, and beyond. Sweden now hosts the largest Mandaean diaspora community, providing a sanctuary for those displaced by conflict.

Despite these hardships, Mandaeans have maintained their cultural and occupational traditions. Historically, they have been known for their craftsmanship, particularly in carpentry and goldsmithing—skills passed down through generations.

Some attribute their expertise to their ancient heritage, while others see it as a practical adaptation to their riverine environment, where tools and trade played vital roles in daily survival.

Ancient Mandaean Temples and Sacred Sites

One of the oldest known Mandaean temples was located in the Tib region of Maysan province, southern Iraq. Historically referred to as Tib Matha or "Land of Goodness" in Mandaic Aramaic, this area once housed significant religious structures.

Unfortunately, much of this ancient heritage has been lost to time, with many sacred sites either destroyed or abandoned due to displacement and urbanization.

The Mandaean Calendar and Religious Traditions

The Mandaean calendar follows a unique structure, differing from the Gregorian system while maintaining the same number of months. The Mandaean New Year begins in the month of Tabit, equivalent to July in the Western calendar, while Parwanaya occurs in the ninth Mandaean month.

The name "Mandaean" itself is derived from the word Saba, meaning "to baptize" or "immerse in water." This reflects the faith’s core belief in spiritual purification through continuous immersion in water, a ritual that extends beyond Parwanaya to major life events such as weddings, funerals, and religious milestones.

Mandaean Diaspora and Migration

In recent years, the largest concentration of Mandaeans in Iraq has shifted to Baghdad. However, following the instability of 2003, many have sought safety in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in Erbil and Sulaimani.

While some have resettled in Europe, North America, and Australia, Sweden has emerged as the primary hub of the Mandaean diaspora, where the community has worked to preserve its traditions and cultural identity.

The Mandaean Belief in Ascension

Mandaeans also possess a distinctive tradition of ascension (Miraj). They believe that Prophet Idris (Enoch) was taken up to the seventh heaven—similar to ascension narratives found in other religious traditions.

However, Mandaeans hold that, unlike Adam and John the Baptist, who also ascended and did not return, Idris descended back to Earth, continuing his divine mission among mortals.

Despite centuries of challenges, the Mandaean faith remains a vital part of Iraq’s religious and cultural heritage.

The Parwanaya Festival stands as a powerful symbol of their enduring traditions, celebrating the cycle of creation, purification, and spiritual renewal.

For the Mandaeans, these five white days serve as a timeless testament to their devotion, a moment where the heavens open, and the divine light descends upon the Earth, reaffirming their connection to a sacred past and an unbroken lineage of faith.