Mandaean in Australia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Other / Small (Mandaeism)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Sabeans (now called Mandaeans) are perhaps the remnant of the Essen community (who wrote the dead sea scrolls) after it was destroyed in 70 AD. They fled eastward and took up residence along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where their communities flourished. Several hundred years ago, their customs were recorded in their holy book, "Kenz irRabba" [the great treasure], which reads from both covers to the middle [you start at one cover and read to the middle, and then you turn it over and start from the other cover and read to the middle].
The Mandaeans were the gold smiths of Iraq, so they became targets of kidnapping and extortion by the radical Muslims after the fall of Saddam. They have lost a large part of their community due to the violence in Iraq. As a result, thousands have fled to saver countries.
They are in Iraq along the banks of the major rivers but lived mostly among the Marsh Arabs for centuries. They have large communities in Sweden, Australia, Canada and the USA.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In Australia, the Mandaeans are still in the process of getting settled. They must learn a new language and deal with a radically different culture. The younger generation is adapting better than their elders.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mandaeans build their worship centers on the banks of rivers and canals and divert part of the flow to come through their building into a pool and flow out the other end back to the river. This helps them perform multiple baptisms in "living water" [i.e. flowing water]. Baptism is the most important part of their religion, besides observing the festive calendar.
They have a large and small Eid [i.e. holiday] like their Muslim neighbors, one in the spring and another in the summer. They have elaborate death rituals including giving a new name to the deceased to assist them entering the "world of light." Angels also play a large role in the community life of Mandaeans.


What Are Their Needs?

In Australia, they have the chance to hear and respond to the life changing gospel. Christ followers can help them with practical needs and introduce them to their best friend in the process.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christian witness in the lands of their Diaspora.
Pray for the few known Mandaean believers in the USA, Germany and Jordan. Pray they will take Christ’s light to others, including those in Australia.
Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace the only savior no matter what the cost.


Scripture Prayers for the Mandaean in Australia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

Mandaean / Sabean People Video

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People Name General Mandeaen
People Name in Country Mandaean
Pronunciation man-DAY-un
Alternate Names Sabbehi
Population this Country 10,000
Population all Countries 80,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 13483
ROP3 Code 106221
Country Australia
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Australia
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Mandaean in Australia
Primary Religion: Other / Small (Mandaeism)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
Unknown
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
Unknown
Hinduism
Unknown
Islam
Unknown
Non-Religious
Unknown
Other / Small
100.00 %
Unknown
Unknown
Primary Language Neo-Mandaic
Language Code mid   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
English
Primary Language Neo-Mandaic
Language Code mid   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  English
People Groups Speaking Neo-Mandaic

Primary Language:  Neo-Mandaic

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Suomen Mandean Yhdistys - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: Web research. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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