| Abagada alphabet Abahatan/tabahatan the Parents; of the Parents (a prayer, a formula, or a type of masiqta) Abaya cloak Ahl al-kitab (Arabic) People of the Book Azga vault Ama wellspring; eye Alma world Alma -nhura Lightworl Alf thousand Andiruna temporary hut Asa myrde Arab/arbafia Arab(s) Ba dove; spirit Buninqa turban Bit ama Mandaean house of worship son Ganzibra “treasurer”; high priest staus Gunra jewel Ginza treasure main Mandaean sacred scripture Dabilek (Arabic) “under your protection” Daia pocket on sacred dress Dukhrana memorial meal for the dead; prayer for the dead Dehwa Rabba Great New Year’s feast Diwan illustrated scroll Diwaniyya (Arabic) sitting room where one receives guests Dhlmmi (Arabic) recognized minority people under taxable protection by Islam Dmuta Lightworld image Drabsa white silk banner Drasa type of prayer Habsaba Sunday Hala hallah (Jewish bread) Halal (Arabic) pure, dean Hallali pure (lay)men in a ritual context Hamra water with macerated raisins Harsia wizards Hatamta sealing prayer Halalta rinsing water Hit sin; suitable; wheat Hieros gamos (Greek) sacred marriage Hilbuna egg Himiana ritual belt Hiuka darkness Zardught (Arabic) Zoroastrian Zhara name insertion Zidqa brikha blessed oblation Ziwa radiance Zirqa unknown word (perhaps error for “zidqa) Tab good Tabahatan/d-abahatan “of our ancestors,” a prayer or a masiqta Tamasa ablution, washing Tariana ritual tray Tutifta Jewish headgear (tefillim?) Ia oh! Iahta/iahutaiia abortion or miscarriage; Jews Yalufa learned layman Yardna running water; Jordan Kana cosmic container Kanzala priestly stole when held under the chin (see nasifa) Kasia hidden; mystical Kurasa loose-leaved manuscript Kuia truth; sacred hand clasp Kinta instrument for incense Kiniana clan name (father’s name) Klila myrtle wreath Ktaba book Kd azil “when he came”: a category of prayers Laufa connection between earth and Lightworld Laqab clan name (mother’s name) Lbula dress; clothing Lofani meal connecting the living and the dead Ma d-bh “that which is with her,” a circumlocution for the spirit Matarta toll station or purification level on the way to the Lightworld Malwasia stars; pertaining to the stars Malka king Malkuta kingship Mambuha water drunk in ritual Mana vessel; power Manda knowledge; gnosis Mandaiuta lay status Mandai/mandaiia Mandaean(s) Mandi cult building Mabuta baptism Mara d-rabuta Lord of Greatness (a mythological figure) Margna priestly staff Masiqta death mass Maskna (same as mandi); polemically: Jewish house of worship Mbtta1 astrologically inauspicious Mutana cholera epidemic Mina black dye used in jewelry Morga (Arabic?) a meat and vegetable stew Misra Ritual boundary Misa. Oil Mqadsia Jewish temple Mqaimitun a prayer formula: “be raised up” Mrara bitterness Msunia Kusta the world of ideal counterparts; a paradisial world Msiha messiah Nadhif (Arabic) pure, clearn Nahra channel, river Natri watchers Nasuraiia the priestly class, the learned ones Nasifa priestly stole Nasiruta priestly wisdom Nglizia (Arabic) English Nhura light Nitupta cloud, wife Nilimta/niimn soul Sheikh leader, priest Surah (Arabic) chapter or section of the Qur’an Sindirka date(palm) Sidra Book Skandola seal on iron knife Sfar book ‘ustad craftsman ‘ustuna lightworld body uraita Torah ‘utra Lightworld figure ‘laia /’’laita elevated, exalted ‘ngirta “letter” prayer ‘niana response prayer Pagra body Pandama mouth cover Panja/Parwanaiia the five-day intercalary feast Fatira half-baked biscuit Pasar exorcism Fateha (Arabic) “opening,” a mourning ritual for the dead Fatwa legal opinion Fidwa ransom Pihta piece of dough Pt daughter Sa rolled-up piece of fiat bread Sauta Companion / companionship Qabin wedding ritual Qanina water bottle Qudsa holy Qulasta collection Qina arrangement of fatiras Qmaha exorcism Rabuta greatness Raza secret, hidden, symbol Rahma “devotion” prayer Rasta ritual dress Ratna spoken Mandaic Rba teacher Ruha spirit Ruman (Arabic) pomegranate Riha incense Ris ama head of the people, highest priestly rank Sapta scroll Sarh commentary, explanation Sganda/asganda ritual helper Sualia pupil, questions Siriata “loosening” prayer Sitlia plants Skinta cult hut Taga crown Tannur baking oven Tafair explanation Tarik colophon, postscript Tarmida lower level priest Tibil the earthly world |
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| Mandaean Glossary The Mandaeans: Ancient Texts and Modern People by Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley |
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| Words are given in alphabetical order, according to the Mandaic alphabet (see chapter 11). Non-Mandaic words are specified as such. Note that P and F are identical in Semitic and so are I and Y; E does not exist, but the letter ‘ayin, approximates an E in pronunciation. |