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Francesco Magnani

Antique Kitab amulet from Ethiopia, created for every-day mobile protection, healing and blessing. Each protective amulet, also known as Kitab or Kitabe, was made for some specific reason, and for one specific individual; it was usually made of goat skin turned into vellum, as in this case. Usually, the text on the role is written with handmade black and red paint or ink, and in the Ethiopic Ge’ez language, that is now no longer used, except for religious purposes. The roles were written and decorated by religious scholars, dabtaras (religious figures acting outside the Church hierarchy) or priests and contain Christian oriented prayers and / or stories or relevant texts from Ethiopian Christian manuscripts / Bibles. The texts also have many influences of nature religions, interspersed by magical elements. Sometimes illustrations are added, and nearly always the baptismal name of the person the role was made for is mentioned. The Ethiopian Coptic Church does not officially allow manufacturing and wearing these amulets, partly because of the mixing with the African nature religions.

The metal objects that are visible in one or more pictures are not included in this lot. 

Dimensions: 10 × 161 cm.
From Ethiopia.

Condition: Some signs of use.

Banned religious manuscript in Ge'ez, on vellum

Manuscript; Handwritten Kitab talisman - c. 1900

Historical Memorabilia

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Historical Memorabilia

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Manuscript; Handwritten Kitab talisman - c. 1900

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