Rasta (Mandaeism)



A rasta is a white ceremonial garment that Mandaeans wear during most baptismal rites, religious ceremonies, and during periods of uncleanliness. It signifies the purity of the World of Light. The rasta is worn equally by the laypersons and the priests. If a Mandaean dies in clothes other than a rasta, it is believed that they will not reenter the World of Light, unless the rite "Ahaba ḏ-Mania" ('Giving of Garments') can be performed "for those who have died not wearing the ritual garment."

A rasta also has a stitched-on pocket called the daša.

Women also wear a robe (ʿabā) over the rasta during masbuta.

Symbolism
The rasta is expected to be transmuted after death into a "garment of glory" for the soul (Qolasta prayer 76: "the Perfecter of Souls ... will come out toward you and clothe your soul in a garment of radiance" ) – this is equivalent to the perispirit.

A Mandaic hymn, Left Ginza 3.11, states: "He created me and clothed me with radiance, like that which the chosen men put on. That which the chosen men put on, the true and faithful people. I put my head therein, I was filled like the world. I opened my eyes in it, my eyes became filled with light."

Related clothing
Other ritual clothing pieces that typically go along with the rasta when worn by men, especially priests, are:


 * Burzinqa (turban)
 * Pandama (cloth wrapped around the mouth and lower face)
 * Himiana (girdle)

Special prayers in the Qolasta are also recited when putting on the burzinqa and pandama.