African Ethiopian Coptic Leather scroll or kitab amulet – Ethiopia. – 1900

Ethiopian Coptic scroll or kitab amulet - Ethiopia.This scroll measures approximately 7.5 cm long and 3.5 cm wide.Ethiopia has a complex religious history, experiencing Christian rule in the 4th century, then experiencing increasing Islamic influence in the 8th century. The earliest extant Ethiopian talismanic scrolls date to the 16th century, but are thought to be in use since the 10th century.The scrolls are an intermingling of all the Abrahamic faiths with indigenous African roots.As the scrolls are highly personalized, their purposes vary, but serve three broad functions: to protect and heal, to exert external influence, and to practice ritual employment. The scrolls are part of a larger ritual tradition rooted in Christian Exorcism Practices.The scrolls are written in Geʽez, which has few remaining speakers, but is the official liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. To activate the scrolls, a third-party interpreter literate in Geʽez must read the scroll to the afflicted. The scrolls treat illness by extracting demons from the patient's body. They are commissioned by the patient from an unordained religious figure in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church known as a dabatara. Dabataras craft each scroll to the specialized needs of the patient seeking help, traditionally utilizing animal hide.... lees verder bij Catawiki