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This is a handwritten Ethiopian Magic Scroll that dates back to the 19th century from
the Tigray Region. This particular scroll was made specifically for a woman
during pregnancy and depicts an altercation between a demon and Saint
Susenyos. This demon is known for killing babies in the womb and the Saint
is there to protect both woman and child. This scroll is now displayed in two
pieces but originally was one long scroll that was made out of 4 pieces of vellum,
which was stitched together. The creator of this scroll would have been an
ordained priest, called a dabtara, who would make these specifically for the
owner. The original owner of the scroll is unknown but according to
Dr. Delamarter, an expert on Ethiopian Manuscripts, the most recent owner is
Walatta, the daughter of Michael, one of the 7 archangels.
To create these scrolls, the dabtara would sacrifice an animal, usually a goat or
sheep, and then wash the person in the animal blood as part of the purification
process. He would then take pieces of the animal skin, usually three, and stitch
them together to make the vellum. The dabtara would scribe prayers and depict
images on the scroll exclusively designed for the owner. Most scrolls
were made specifically for a woman. They were to be carried by the owner at
all times or placed in their homes.
This is the 2nd image on the scroll and is of two guardian angels who are often
depicted together. Evil demon eyes border this image in a
patterned fashion. These are said to be evil eyes of the demon.
The names of the angels are not exactly known, but are said to be Saint Michael
and Saint Gabriel. These guardian angels were thought to protect the pregnant
woman and child from sickness and drive demons away. The right hand of the
angel is holding a sword and left hand is holding a scabbard.
The text is the prayer, which is written in Ge’ez, the literary language of Ethiopia.
Bibles, magical texts, stories and myths were commonly written in this language.
The priest created the art of the images and hand wrote the prayers on the scroll.
Red and black were common colors to use for the text because of the
availability of colors.
These Ethiopian Magic Scrolls were of great importance to the people. They held
powers to heal and protect from evil. This particular scroll was made to guard a
woman from danger during pregnancy and cure any sickness that may come her
way. This was to be placed in homes or carried by the owner at all times. Each
image and character played a part on the scroll. The Ethiopian Magic Scrolls were
of religious significance and played a vital role in the lives of the early Ethiopian Christians.