Shkinta
Celestial dwelling in Mandaeism
In Mandaeism, a shkinta (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡊࡉࡍࡕࡀ, romanized: škinta, lit. 'shekinah') or shkina (škina) is a celestial dwelling inhabited by uthras in the World of Light that is analogous to the shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. In Tibil (the physical earth), it refers to a reed hut that is used during Mandaean priest initiation ceremonies, since Mandaean priests represent uthras on earth.[1]
Ceremonial usage
During the priest initiation ceremony, the shkinta is constructed to the north of the andiruna. It symbolizes the World of Light and it covered by a white cloth roof. In contrast, the andiruna has a blue cloth roof to symbolize the color of Ruha. Together, the two adjacent huts symbolize complementary masculine and feminine elements.[2]
Symbolism
The škinta (cognate with the Hebrew word shekhinah; from the Semitic root š-k-n, associated with dwellings) symbolizes the "male" side, and is associated with the World of Light, priests, the right side, gold, and the taga (crown).[2]
In contrast, the andiruna symbolizes the "female" side, and is associated with the earth (Tibil), laypeople, the left side, silver, and the klila (myrtle wreath).[2] Similarly, in a traditional Persian house, the women's quarters are known as andirūn.[1]
In artwork
In 2018, Mandaean-Australian priest and artist Yuhana Nashmi created Sh-ken-ta, an exhibition of a shkinta, as a site-specific installation at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.[3][4]
Gallery
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A reed house in the marshes of Basra Province, southern Iraq in 1978. The shkinta is based on such reed structures. -
Miniature model of a shkinta displayed at the Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia -
Miniature model of a shkinta displayed at the Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia -
Miniature model of a shkinta displayed at the Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
See also
- Andiruna
- Shekhinah
- Sweat lodge in Native American spiritual ceremonies
- Tarmida
- Anana (Mandaeism)
References
- ^ a b Drower, E. S. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Leiden: Brill (1962 reprint).
- ^ a b c Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
- ^ "Sh-ken-ta". Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. 2003-01-01. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ "Sh-ken-ta Workshop with Yuhana Nashmi". Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. 2003-01-01. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
External links
- The Worlds of Mandaean Priests (University of Exeter)
- Sydney 2014 Masiqta 10: Purification of the steps to the Shkenta and the Shkenta
- Sydney 2014 Masiqta 14: Shkenta (religious ritual hut built from reed and mud)
