Abu al-Haris (Ashoriya)

Culture of origin: Mandaean · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran · Mandaeism

Abu al-Haris is a Mandaean day of remembrance for the people drowned in Noah's flood, kept on the first day of Sarṭana, the sixth month of the Mandaean calendar. Mandaeans believe that on this day Noah and his son Sam prepared a food of forgiveness of sins for the souls of the dead. The ritual meal (lofani) is made of seven grains, one for each day of the week, and a second ritual meal, the dukrana, is also prepared. Its other name, Ashoriya (Mandaic Ašurih), is a Mandaean name for a day of the Mandaean calendar, not the Islamic Ashura.