Pre-Christian, or first century Persian Gnostic (dualism) religion of the middle east that has survived into modern times. "Manda" is from the Aramaic language which translates to "gnosis" in Greek. They professed a kinshipto the teachings of "John the Baptist", and are said to exist today in Iraq. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandaeanism http://essenes.net/new/submandaeans.html