Drabsa3

The Journal for the Study and Research into the
Mandaean Culture, Religion, and Language.

Volume 3 Special Issue Online edition

THE DRABŠA

RESEARCH DONE BY AJAE

Evidence of the Drabša in use during and after 70 AD

If the practice of using the drabša was incorporated into the Mandaean theology after they migrated to the lower Mesopotamian area, then we should not find any reference to the word or idea in any of the Mandaean literature that would indicate the usage of that idea before the migration.

But we do find references to the drabša in the Haran Gawaita where the drabša was already in use just after the flight from Jerusalem.

"And the light of the banners of Abatur and Anus'-'Uthra (was quenched?) ... " (11)

After the Sassaians took over Mesopotamia the number of banners was recorded.

"…the Hardbaeans (Sasanians) taking over the kingdom. (Nevertheless) there remained one hundred and seventy banners and bimandiaia in Baghdad " (12)

Even after Mohammed and the spread of Islam in to Mesopotamia the banners were still recorded to show the number of communities:

"(Even then), after this had happened and these events had taken place, sixty banners (still) remained and pertained to me in Baghdad. " (12)

Description

The Word Drabsa

Evidence of the Drabša in use during and after 70 AD

Evidence of Parthian Contact before 70 AD

The Idea of the Drabša

The Theory