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The Mandaeans in Iran

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The Mandaeans in Iran
The Mandaeans in Iran

 

The Mandaeans are an ethno-religious minority in Iran and Iraq who practice the ancient religion of Mandaeanism: 

  • Population

    There are approximately 60–70,000 Mandaeans, with a smaller community in Iran. 

  • Location

    The Mandaeans primarily live in Iraq, but also have a presence in the southwest Iranian state of Khuzistan. 

  • Religion

    Mandaeanism is an Abrahamic faith that is similar to Gnosticism. It is centered on the Hebrew Bible, but differs from other Abrahamic faiths like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. 

  • Language

    The Mandaeans speak a dialect of Aramaic. 

  • Rituals

    The Mandaeans perform baptisms in freshwater rivers, such as the Karun River. 

  • Discrimination

    The Mandaeans face discrimination and cultural pressure, which can lead to identity crises. For example, non-Mandaeans need special permission to attend Mandaean ceremonies. 

The Mandaeans are also known by other names, including: Sabians, Sabians of the Marshs, and The Baptists. 

 

  One of Iran and Iraq’s religious minority groups which has survived for centuries is now rapidly disappearing. Mandaeism, the last surviving Gnostic religion, is an ancient faith rooted in the teachings of John the Baptist. Originating in Mesopotamia, water is everything to the Sabian Mandaeans, who are baptized in it, get married in it and receive their last rites by the river’s edge. During their celebrations, the community believes that each individual should be baptized as many times as possible. But river pollution in recent years has been making it harder for the community to practice their rituals. Mandaeans fear extinction unless their traditions and people are protected. This video explores the complex reality of the Mandaeans, a minority religious community, and their sacred connection to the polluted Karun River in Iran. Through the lens of photographer Solmaz Daryani, we witness the challenges faced by the Mandaeans as they navigate social stigmas, environmental degradation, and their commitment to maintaining a connection to living water. The narrative unfolds as the Karun River becomes a metaphor for the complex interplay of culture, religion, pollution, and the photographer’s role as a storyteller. Images Video and Credits: Solmaz Daryani   / solmazdaryani   http://solmazdaryani.com/iran-mandaea… #Mandaeism #Mandaeans #sabiansymbols #irannews #iranculture #Iranclimatechange #solmazdaryani #MandeanBaptism #baptism #WaterRituals #MandaeismInsights #AncientMesopotamianFaith