PhotosIn Pics: ‘Banja’ Celebrations In Iraq’s Bagdad
In Pics: ‘Banja’ Celebrations In Iraq’s Bagdad
‘Banja’ or creation feast celebrations were held by Iraqi Sabaean Mandeans, who view John the Baptist as its central prophet and submerge themselves in the Tigris during an annual five-day ritual.
Updated: 15 Mar 2023 10:07 am
18Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
Followers of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the New Testament's John the Baptist, perform their rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
28Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
Followers of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the New Testament's John the Baptist, perform their rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
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38Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
Followers of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the Bible's John the Baptist, perform their rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
48Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
Followers of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the Bible's John the Baptist, perform their rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
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58Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
Followers of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the Bible's John the Baptist, perform their rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
68Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
A follower of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the Bible's John the Baptist, performs his rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
Advertisement
78Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
Followers of the Sabean Mandaeans faith, a pre-Christian sect that follows the teachings of the Bible's John the Baptist, perform their rituals in the Tigris River during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast, in central Baghdad, Iraq.
88Iraq Sabaean Mandeans
| Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban
A woman of the Sabean Mandaean community takes part in a ritual during a celebration marking "Banja" or Creation Feast in the Tigris River in central Baghdad, Iraq.