Pihta facts for kids

The pihta (pronounced pee-tah) is a special kind of bread used in the Mandaean religion. It's a small, round, flatbread, a bit like a biscuit. Mandaean priests use pihta in their important religious ceremonies. Sometimes it has salt, and sometimes it doesn't. This depends on whether the ceremony is for people who are alive or for those who have passed away. It's important not to mix up pihta with another Mandaean bread called faṭira, which is also small and round but always made without salt.

What is Pihta?

How Pihta is Made

Pihta is a small, round, flat bread. It's made by mixing flour, water, and sometimes salt. After mixing, the dough is baked. Only Mandaean priests are allowed to make pihta. They even grind the flour themselves!

Salted vs. Saltless Pihta

The type of pihta used depends on the religious ceremony.

• Salted Pihta: This kind is used in ceremonies for living people, like the maṣbuta (baptism). Salt is mixed into the dough before baking. In Mandaean beliefs, salt stands for the soul.
• Saltless Pihta: This kind is used in ceremonies for people who have passed away, called masiqta rituals. When pihta has no salt, it shows that the soul has left the body.

How Pihta is Used in Mandaean Rituals

Pihta in Baptism (Maṣbuta)

Every Sunday, Mandaeans take part in a special baptism ceremony called maṣbuta. This involves going into flowing water, led by priests. After the baptism, people eat pieces of salted pihta. A priest blesses this bread. Eating it helps Mandaeans feel connected again to the World of Light, which is their spiritual home.

Pihta in Masiqta Rituals

Saltless pihta is also used in masiqta rituals. These ceremonies are performed to help the souls of people who have died.

Prayers with Pihta

During the ceremonies where pihta is used, special prayers are said. These prayers come from a holy Mandaean book called the Qolasta. Many different prayers are recited as part of the pihta sacrament.