The present paper provides an interpretation of the Parthian fragment SI 5576
belonging to the Serindian Collection of the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, Russian
Academy of Sciences. The poorly preserved text is a hymn dedicated to Wisdom and,
perhaps, is an adaptation of a Mandaean text. Its contents suggest that it was performed
during the Bema, the main Manichaean holiday. The fragment’s paper, ink, handwriting,
and the Chinese text on the recto side show that it is part of the same manuscript as the
fragment M 4590 belonging to the Berlin Turfan Collection, and that the manuscript
seems to have been a list of hymns to be performed during the Bema holiday.
The 7th International Conference “The cultural heritage of the Mongols: manuscript and archival collections” under the patronage of the President of Mongolia will be held on April 21‒22, 2025. The conference program is now available.
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