In Mandaeism, faṭira (Classical Mandaic: ࡐࡀࡈࡉࡓࡀ; plural form: faṭiri[1]) is a small, round, saltless, half-baked biscuit. Faṭiras are used in rituals such as the Ṭabahata Masiqta, or the "masiqta of the Parents," during which they are served in ritual clay trays called ṭariana. The faṭira, which is saltless, is distinct from another type of sacramental bread known as the pihta, which contains salt to symbolize the souls of living people when used for living celebrants, but is saltless like the faṭira when used during masiqta (death mass) rituals.[2]

The ṣa (Classical Mandaic: ࡑࡀ), a rolled-up piece of sacramental flatbread that contains nuts and raisins, is also used in ritual meals for the dead and has a phallic symbolism. It is rolled up like a scroll.[1][2]

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References edit

  1. ^ a b Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press.
  2. ^ a b Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.