Kanshi u-Zahli

Culture of origin: Mandaean · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran · Mandaeism

Kanshi u-Zahli, 'cleaning and purification', is the last day of the Mandaean year, 30 Gadia, and a holy day without work. Priests pray and baptize until the afternoon, and before sunset families prepare the next day's food and immerse themselves in water. When the North Star appears, Mandaeans stay at home for 36 hours, believing the guardian spirits have left the world, and emerge at noon on 2 Daula.