Ethiopian amuletic roll (magical prayers)

Description:: Parchment roll written in Ge'ez in Ethiopia in the nineteenth century, containing amuletic texts written for, and begins, 'Ta'os Azyos Masi Masyas Aqdefer. In the name of Haragu Harirekar. The text contains various passages from the Gospels concerning the expulsion of demons, followed by prayers of intercession to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the Nine Choirs of Angels, the Virgin Mary and lastly Alexander the Great. Five paintings depict, 1. a face enclosed in a cross shape with bands of eyes above and below, 2. a face imprisoned behind a cross shape, 3. a face enclosed in a cross shape with inscription, eyes in each corner, 4. a pair of lobed-shaped demons or serpents with inscription, and 5. a face enclosed in cross shape with checker-board patterns in the corners, birds at the top and bottom and an inscription above.

Goobi viewer