A ganzibra (singular form in Classical Mandaic: ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡀ, plural form in Classical Mandaic: ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡉࡀganzibria, literally 'treasurer' in Mandaic; Persian: گنزورا) is a head priest in Mandaeism. Tarmidas, or junior priests, rank below the ganzibras.[1]
Symbolically, ganzibras are considered to be uthras on earth (Tibil). Their responsibilities include performing masbuta, masiqta, wedding ceremonies, and other rituals, all of which can only be performed by priests. They must prepare their own food to maintain ritual purity.[2] Ganzibra priests are also prohibited from consuming stimulants such as wine, tobacco, and coffee.[3]
The ganzibras go through an elaborate set of initiation rituals that are separate from those performed for the tarmidas.[2] According Drower (1937), a ganzibra can only be initiated immediately before the death of a pious member of the Mandaean community. Two ganzibras and two shgandas are required to perform the initiation.[3]
The bukra is the first masiqta performed by a ganzibra priest just after ordination.[4]
^Drower, E. S. 1960. The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
^ abBuckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-515385-5. OCLC65198443.
^ abDrower, E. S. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Leiden: Brill (1962 reprint).
