Ba-Zn ferrite powders for electromagnetic insulator were synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis(SHS) with a reaction of $xBaO_2+(1-x)ZnO+0.5Fe_2O_3+Fe{ ightarrow}Ba_xZn_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. In this study, phase indentification of SHS products was carried out by using x-ray diffractometry and quasi-nano sized Ba-Zn powders were prepared by a pulverizing process. SHS mechanism was studied by thermodynamical analysis about oxidation reaction among $BaO_2,;ZnO,;Fe_2O_3$, and Fe. As oxygen pressure increases from 0.25 MPa to 1.0 MPa, the SHS reactions occur well and make clearly the SHS products. X-ray analysis shows that final SHS products formed with the ratio of $BaO_2/ZnO$ of 0.25, 1.0 and 4.0, are mainly $Ba_xZn_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. Based on thermodynamical evaluation, the heat of formation increases in the order of $ZnFe_2O_4,;BaFe_2O_4$, and $Ba_xZn_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. This supports that $Ba_xZn_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ phase is predominately formed during SHS reaction. The SHS reactions to form $Ba_xZn_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ depends on oxygen partial pressure, and the heat of formation during the SHS reaction. The SHS reactions tends to occur well with increasing the oxygen partial pressure and BaO2/ZnO ratio in the reactants This means that the SHS reaction for the formation of Ba-Zn ferrite includes the reduction of BaO2/ZnO and the oxidation of Fe. $Ba_xZn_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ powders after pulverizing is agglomeratedwith a size of about $50{mu}m$, in which quasi-nano sized particles with about 300nm are present.