26. Magical texts 19th–20th century The manuscript is an interesting example of an Ethiopian magic scroll. This vertical scroll—the characteristic format for this type of book—is composed of four parchment membranes sewn together with strips of leather. It is written in a calligraphic hand in a single column, which was read from top to bottom. It contains various drawings as well as prayers to bind and swallow demons, and as protection against the evil eye, as well as magical names, the first lines of the Gospel of John, and an invocation to God. The Library acquired this scroll in 1985. |
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