In Mandaeism, the lofani, laufani,[1] or laufania (Classical Mandaic: ࡋࡀࡅࡐࡀࡍࡉࡀ[2]) is a type of ritual meal commemorating the dead.[3] It is etymologically related to the word laufa ("spiritual communion"), since lofani meals symbolize the connection of the souls of the living and the dead. The meal sometimes contains sacrificed sheep or dove meat.[4]

It is distinct from the zidqa brika and dukrana, which are two other types of ritual meal offered for the dead.[4]

During Abu al-Haris, a day of remembrance commemorating the drowned people of Noah's flood (on the first day of the 6th Mandaean month Sarṭana), grains and cereals are eaten as part of a special lofani.[5]: 17 

Lofani being prepared by Mandaean laypeople in Ahvaz, Iran:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Crangle, E., Nasoraia, B. (2010). "Soul Food: The Mandaean Laufani". ARAM Periodical, 22, 97-132.
  2. ↑ Al Saadi, Qais (2012). Nhura: English-Mandaic/Mandaic-Mandaic Dictionary. First Edition, Drabsha.
  3. ↑ Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
  4. 1 2 Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press.
  5. ↑ Häberl, Charles (2022). The Book of Kings and the Explanations of This World: A Universal History from the Late Sasanian Empire. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. ISBN 978-1-80085-627-1.
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