Shkinta

In Mandaeism, a shkinta (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡊࡉࡍࡕࡀ, romanized: škinta, lit. 'shekinah') or shkina (škina) is a celestial dwelling inhabited by uthras in the World of Light that is analogous to the shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. In Tibil (the physical earth), it refers to a reed or mud hut that is used during Mandaean priest initiation ceremonies, since Mandaean priests represent uthras on earth.¹

During the priest initiation ceremony, the shkinta is constructed to the north of the andiruna. It symbolizes the World of Light and it covered by a white cloth roof. In contrast, the andiruna has a blue cloth roof to symbolize the color of Ruha. Together, the two adjacent huts symbolize complementary masculine and feminine elements.²

The škinta (cognate with the Hebrew word shekhinah; from the Semitic root š-k-n, associated with dwellings) symbolizes the "male" side, and is associated with the World of Light, priests, the right side, gold, and the taga (crown).²

In contrast, the andiruna symbolizes the "female" side, and is associated with the earth (Tibil), laypeople, the left side, silver, and the klila (myrtle wreath).² Similarly, in a traditional Persian house, the women's quarters are known as andirūn.¹

In 2018, Mandaean-Australian priest and artist Yuhana Nashmi created Sh-ken-ta, an exhibition of a shkinta, as a site-specific installation at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.³⁴

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  A reed house in the marshes of Basra Province, southern Iraq in 1978. The shkinta is based on such reed structures.
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  Miniature model of a shkinta displayed at Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
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  Miniature model of a shkinta displayed at Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
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  Miniature model of a shkinta displayed at Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
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  Shkinta located adjacent to Wallacia Mandi in Wallacia, New South Wales, Australia
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  Shkinta located inside Yahya Yuhana Mandi in Prestons, New South Wales, Australia