Double-Take: How the Middle East IS Northeast Africa historically & had Image Change

[sevengreenbeans]

Which would go back to showing why it is said that they place a lot of emphasis on John the Baptist and where. It was not in the same way as Christianity, of course - and as another noted, most scholars are of the opinion that the references to John the Baptist in the Mandaean literature are late, and that neither John nor his disciples are in any way connected to the rise of the Mandaean cult. ...for Christian missionaries of the 17th century saw in them the descendants of the "disciples of John the Baptist" until they later realized what exactly it was they believed and how radically different it was in their beliefs compared to John the Baptist.

This is my understanding, as well, about the Mandaean people. Interesting that they wear white linen, at least by visual recognition, it seems to be linen fabric, any time they are wearing their religious / customary clothing.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Having friends/family who've either lived in the places termed "Middle East" or came from those areas/gone, it's amazing to see how often it seems that people get surprised when seeing others with African features in those lands (Berbers included) and others have to remind them "Why are you surprised in light of the concept of travel and the ways there has always been presence here?"

Afro-Iraqis come to mind as one group that others are often not aware of - despite where there were connections due to the Assyrians and Nubian connections - both in fighting and temporary alliances at one point (more here and here) and other events - some of which still have a negative effect to this day sadly (even though the same has happened to other blacks in other lands deemed "Middle East" today):

• Iraq In Black.The Crisis
• The Hidden Black Iraq | Alternet
• Black Iraqis In Basra Face Racism : NPR
• In Iraq's African Enclave, Color is Plainly Seen

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