The five dark days before Parwanaya · Mbaṭṭal days

Culture of origin: Mandaean · Cultural

Holiday sources: Mandaeism

The last five days of Šumbulta, the eighth Mandaean month, are mbaṭṭal, ominous days, dedicated to the five lords of the underworld. Because they are given over to darkness, the manda, the Mandaean cult hut, has to be reconsecrated during the five days of light of Parwanaya that follow. Gelbert's Mandaean calendar table for 2005–06 marks them as days of full fasting. Like every Mandaean date, they come one Gregorian day earlier every four years.