I was researching the history of different tribes, different religion, different cultures in Iraq. Partly because of my next idea of a book, and I was fascinated yet I couldn't find everything I wanted to know.
We used to have men in Al-Shorga, who worked with goods and jewellery all in silver as part of their religion. I was a young boy, and they seemed to be old men with long white beards, and long hair. Never ever saw anyone with long black hair. My mother used to tell me different stories about them, yet I never figured out which were made up, and which was real.
Obviously they weren't 150 years old, and they don't eat naughty boys for breakfast, and I was very naughty and thats why I was sent to school at the age of 3. Can someone tell me something about them please?
It will be good to have the good old days stories here. Whether its political or others.
Were these men called Subbies (Maybe wrong spelling), and was it part of their religion to work with silver?
Posts: 463
Score: 11 Joined: 10/26/2004 From: California Status: offline
Hi Calm.
Yes there is a group of people called (ألصابئه) and the word means that they are suppose to convert to any new religion that comes to being. About them having white beards, here is what I heard from goldsmiths themselves in Baghdad.
Most of them actually wear a fake beard, and it has to be white for the following reason. When you work with silver, you file it, grind it, and engrave it. If you have noticed, they work with their beards very close to the silver, which allows the silver shavings, and the dust to accumulate on the whiskers of the beard. Then, when it is closing time, and away from people’s eyes, they remove the fake beard and dip it in a large bowl of water, letting the silver rest at the bottom of the bowl, only to be collected and used again.
What you have to remember here is that the silver they collect is already paid for by the costumer who has ordered the silver jewelry. Therefore, it is like free silver to the jeweler. Also the matter of not having black hair in their beard, the silver shavings will be very much visible on the black hair, not the white hair.
Now, this is what I heard number of times from people who worked with gold. And it is not my own analysis.
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God bless the whole world, No exceptions. الدين لله و الوطن للجميع
Mandaeands Sabians "Sabian" is a word derived from the Aramaic-Mandic verb "Saba" which means "baptised" or "dyed", "immersed in water". "Mandaeans" is derived from "menda" which means in the mandiac language "knowledge". Thus, "Mandaean Sabians" means those who are baptised and who know the religion of God. Aspects of the Mandaean Religion a-Monotheism b-Baptism c-Praying d-Fasting e-Alms-giving
Beliefs and prophets: Mandaean Sabians believe in God and His Monotheism. God is called in their holy book and other religious sources, The Great Life or The Eternal Life. Also, they believe that Adam (God bless his name) was their first prophet and teacher. Their second prophet was sheet who is named "shetel" in Mandaiac; followed by Sam bin Noah and Yahya bin Zekaria (God bless their names).
Holy Books: Mandaean Sabians have many holy books: a-Ginza Raba (The Great Treasure): which contains the books of Adam, Sheet and Sam. It consists of 600 pages and falls into two parts:
Part one: from the right hand, includes the book of Genesis; the teachings of the Great Life; the ever lasting struggle between Good and Evil, Light and Darkness. It relates details of how the "Soul" came down into Adam's body. The book contains prayers to the Creator, and religious and theological rules.
Part two: from the left-hand deals with the Soul, reward and punishment. b-Drasha id Yahia: It includes the teachings and wise sayings of the prophet Yehia bin Zekaria. c-The book of souls: telling the story of how the soul descended into Adam's body. d-Adam' Boghra (body): an explanation of Adam's body. e-The Kilesta: Hymns of marriage rituals f-Niani: Book of prayers Seven- Various Booklets The language: The Mandiac language is dialect of the Eastern Aramic language, which is derived from the Semitic family of languages. All religious manuscripts concerning rites were written in this language. The mandaeans believe that God taught Adam His knowledge. Adam, therefor knew his God and himself, and began to read the alphabet (Aa, ba, ka, da…). His select sons (Adam's) and his descendants knew it. The Mandaean alphabet consist of 24 letters starting with "alef" and ending with it because the Mandaeans believe that all things return to their origins and beginnings.
Rituals: The mandaeans direct their faces northwards while practicing their religious rites because the world of Light (paradise) lies in that sacred place of the universe to which souls go when the journey of life ends. There they enjoy immortality alongside their God. Besides, the Mandaean religion recommends alms giving (moral and material). It recommends also the great Fasting, which means the abstinence from anything that distorts man's relation with his God; while the small Fasting means abstinence from slaughtering animals and eating meat at certain days of the year. This religion stresses on the importance of marriage (including the marriage of the clergymen). Marriage rites are performed by the clergyman, attended by witnesses and a crowd of people in a happy festival. The rituals stress the sacredness of marriage. The rituals summed up as follows:
a- Baptism:The purpose is to purify the couple physically and spiritually while they are dressed in the Resta, ....the white religious clothes. b- Taking the oath before their Lord, angles and attending people. c- Complimentary rites symbolising partnership in a new house; fertility and breeding or regeneration.
Prohibition in Mandaeasim: Mandaeansim shares other celestial religions in identifying and diagnosing many prohibitions. This religion takes scientific and deep human dimensions in setting forth these commandments; they are:
1-Blasphemy 2-Murder 3- Adultery 4-Stealing 5-Telling lies 6-False testimony 7-Disloyalty and dishonesty 8-Lust 9-Magic and witchcraft 10-Circumcision 11-Alcoholic drinks 12-Usury 13-Crying over the dead 14-Eating dead animals, pregnant animals or animals attacked by other furious animals and blood 15-Divorce (save in some exceptional cases) 16-Suicide and abortion 17-Self-torturing and body-hurting.
Location and their number Through history: The Mandaeans have lived in many regions over a wide geographical setting. Yet, they live mainly in Iraq and Ahwaz (Iran). There are sabian communities in Europe, America, Australia and other countries. Their number does not exceed 100,000. Despite this little number, they have had an outstanding role in the fields of science, literature and knowledge since the Abassid age.
Their History: The Ginza Raba, in the book of Genesis, mentions that the world of light is a Mandaean world. The book describes them in detail while they are praying to the Great Life. God, the Eternal Life, ordered the creation of Adam and Eve, knowing the teachings of the Mandaean religion. God ordered Adam to teach his children this religion and spread its celestial commandments. Under the inspiration of the Great Life, prophets and messengers followed Adam, to continue spreading the Mandaean teachings. Yehia bin Zekria is the last Mandaean prophet whose name was mentioned in three Sura (chapters) of the Holy Quran. Professions and Occupations: Since ancient times, the Mandaeans have practiced certain professions such as jewellery making which became their own trademark. They practice other jobs such as smiths and carpenters as well as boat making.
Modern History: The Mandaean community is part and parcel of Iraqi society. They have shared with the Iraqis their happiness and suffering especially under the unjust embargo imposed on Iraq since 1990. The community produced a large number of outstanding intellectuals, doctors, engineers, professors, men of letters, artists, tradesmen and industrialists who contributed actively to the development of Iraqi people.
Political History: Mandaeans Sabians, being part of Iraqi people, have taken part in all the situations and problems that faced Iraq through its history. They presented sacrifices and martyrs for the sake of their homeland like any other Iraqi sect. The Mandaeans are still ready to defend their country and are proud of their love of home and its ancient civilization, seeking to maintain its unity and territorial integrity.
The mandaeans love their original land mesopotamia (iraq) very much and ahwaz is originaly part of mesopotamia (iraq) but it was stolen from it in the year 1925, and also do not forget that the prophets (Yehia bin Zekria the prophets peace be upon them both) are originaly descents roots from their descent their father of the all the prophets (prophet ibrahim peace be upon him) the mesopotamian (iraqi) is their great grandfather.
We were in college, and decided to go up north to villages outside Mosul. Two buses filled with mainly females apart of us (The handsome bunch) tem males, as most of the men had to work at night, or they were married and their wives needed help.
We arrived to this town, can't remember the name. Of course the girls wearing trousers, and covering their legs properly (in case of high winds and the skirts will be covering their faces.'
The women of the town began to clap their hands, and cheering sarcasim. (Baghdad prostitutes are now here, women keep your husbands away)
Baghdad prostitues, what? Yes boys stay away, not safe, if u get my drift, protection may not work properly then u may become ill!!! not to mention what your wives would do to u if they found out!
Mandaeands Sabians
yes this was indeed extremely interesting! so i would assume they are vegetarians? reference to dead animals. and absolutely no rare steaks!
calm, i too would like to read some of your book, if you don't mind?
ms. nosey hear
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Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
since most of you lovely gentlemen are of age i shall assume that i don't have to give u the talk i gave my son while he was developing quite an interest in the opposite sex. rather embarassing i might add, but a must.
of course in later years i often found out my son/daughter appeared to know more than mom.
sigh.
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Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
We arrived to this town, can't remember the name. Of course the girls wearing trousers, and covering their legs properly (in case of high winds and the skirts will be covering their faces.'
Whose the bloody idiot that made trousers fashionable for women?
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Any of you got googleearth, if you have have a look at the air base in Habaniya, you will see bombed airplanes on the runways.
Talking of habaniya, when I was in college, we used to rent one of the little holiday apartment, pay the man extra, 10-15 cars of boys and girls and have a damn good parties. I just went along to watch and observe, nothing to do with organising it.
God those were the days. Innocent fun, that was all.
We arrived to this town, can't remember the name. Of course the girls wearing trousers, and covering their legs properly (in case of high winds and the skirts will be covering their faces.'
Whose the bloody idiot that made trousers fashionable for women?
I am glad they did, exercising/working with horses, riding in the woods (tree limbs, briars), etc... however, this innocent lovely woman has been known to ride in her underwear/frequently a bra and jeans when no one is around and no bathing suit available, when it is hot outside. have been "caught" on occasion. lol ... tho. often bra's now cover more than many bathingsuit tops and i may have had even more covering on than some of the commercials/tv shows- show.
oh my did i say this?
_____________________________
Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
however, this innocent lovely woman has been known to ride in her underwear/frequently a bra and jeans when no one is around and no bathing suit available, when it is hot outside. have been "caught" on occasion. lol ... tho. often bra's now cover more than many bathingsuit tops and i may have had even more covering on than some of the commercials/tv shows- show.
oh my did i say this?
WOW!! YS?? Sounds like I should take up horse riding! Can you give me the address of your stable please?
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Calm, opps I forgot I think I may have insinuated in some pos aft. you retd that I did not have anything to do with some of these political discussions of this sort...
opps...
yes i occasionally enjoy "teasing" the boys. haven't yet grown up that much to stop with this nonsense.
LOL
would like to say i was making things up, but nope, NOT. tee hee
_____________________________
Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
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Calm, you old fart, I missed you dear heart!
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since most of you lovely gentlemen are of age i shall assume that i don't have to give u the talk i gave my son while he was developing quite an interest in the opposite sex. rather embarassing i might add, but a must. 
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