Zazai-d-Gawazta
Zazai of Gawazta
3rd-century Mandaean priest and scribe
Zazai of Gawazta (Zazai ḏ-Gawazta, Classical Mandaic: ࡆࡀࡆࡉ ࡖࡂࡀࡅࡀࡆࡕࡀ; also Zazai ḏ-Gawazta bar Hawa, Classical Mandaic: ࡆࡀࡆࡉ ࡖࡂࡀࡅࡀࡆࡕࡀ ࡁࡓ ࡄࡀࡅࡀ, lit. 'Zazai of Gawazta, son of Hawa' or Zazai of Gawazta, son of Naṭar[1]) was a 3rd-century Mandaean priest. He is listed as the first copyist in the colophons of many Mandaean texts,[1][2] including in some of the Qolasta colophons, as well as the colophons of the 1012 Questions, Alma Rišaia Zuṭa, and The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa.[3]: 58
Zazai of Gawazta was a contemporary of Sasanian Emperor Bahram I (r. 271–274), who persecuted non-Zoroastrian minorities and was known for his execution of Mani.[4] Zazai of Gawazta's role in initiating the systematic codification of Mandaean texts can be seen as an effort to protect Mandaeism during a time of intense religious persecution.[2]: 4