The Mandaeans are an ethnoreligious group who follow Mandaeism, which is a Monotheistic religion. The native language of the Mandaeans is Mandaic, which is similar to Aramaic.
All Mandaean rituals, ceremonies and prayers are conducted in Mandaic. Fresh flowing river water is a crucial element in Mandaeism. All rituals and ceremonies in Mandaeism require the use of fresh flowing river water, however a minor number of prayers do not. The main rituals that are conducted in the river are called, Masvetta (a ritual emersion in river water and the ceremony is conducted by the clergy), Rishama (ritual signing/anointing of parts of the body) and Tamasha (ritual emersion of the whole body).
In order to provide a setting that fosters community growth and usage, Mandi Wallacia seeks some enhancements, which includes: landscaping throughout the premises, retractable shades for the large Masvetta pond, purification of water channel, construct a Mandi hall, playground, machinery shed, stabilise the river bank, housing, teaching facilities, seating for the large Masvetta pond, Eshkhenta (Clay Hut) and Shade Covering, wedding area, community gardening area, fencing, gazeboes, an area for preparing Mandaean ritually pure meat, irrigation, designated area to grow ceremonial significant plants, and a heated and covered area they can use in the colder months to perform Masvetta.
For the immediate needs of the Mandaean Community some of the scope items can be merged together on a smaller scale, to meet with today’s requirements for the Mandaeans. Merging the mechanical shed, wedding area, Eshkhenta, heated and covered area, irrigation and a place of resting during Parwanaiia will be constructed around the smaller Masvetta Pond.
You can make a difference by donating today to THE SABIAN MANDAEAN ASSOCIATION IN AUSTRALIA LIMITED.
