Zazai of Gawazta

Zazai of Gawazta (Zazai ḏ-Gawazta, , ; also Zazai ḏ-Gawazta bar Hawa, or Zazai of Gawazta, son of Naṭar ) was a 3rd-century Mandaean priest. He is listed as the first copyist in the colophons of many Mandaean texts.

Zazai of Gawazta is mentioned as the first copyist in the Qulasta colophons 1 (CP 1–74), 4 (CP 104–169), 5 (CP 170–199), and 8 (CP 305–329) of DC 53. He is also attested in the colophons of 1012 Questions, Scroll of Exalted Kingship, Baptism of Hibil Ziwa, Zihrun Raza Kasia, Alma Rišaia Zuṭa, and Dmut Kušṭa. In the colophon of the Left Ginza, Zazai's son and/or initiate Ṭabia (lit. 'gazelle') is listed as a copyist, but not Zazai himself.

Zazai of Gawazta was a contemporary of Sasanian Emperor Bahram I , who persecuted non-Zoroastrian minorities and was known for his execution of Mani. 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.