Pandama


The pandama is a mouth-veil worn by Mandaean priests while performing baptismal ceremonial rituals. It is the loose end of the burzinqa and is wrapped around the mouth and lower face. The pandama also protects the face from water during masbuta rituals. The pandama is worn only by officiating priests, not by Mandaean laymen.

Etymology

The word pandama is of Iranian origin. Macuch gives the etymology pandama < *paddan < padān.

In the ''Qulasta''

Several prayers in the Qulasta are recited when putting on and loosening the pandama, including prayers 7 and 55.

Symbolism

According to Shahram Ebadfardzadeh, an Iranian-American yalufa in San Antonio, Texas, United States, "when the priest officiates, he is an angel, and his lower face must not be seen, but covered up."