MS Ethiopian 19

19th century prayers of magical character

Ethiopia, 19th century

Fine vellum; Material: perg; Scroll composed of 3 strips The scroll would have been designed to be equal in length to the height of the person the scroll was composed for, in order that the entirety of the person was protected against demons and the return of evil spirits (Mercier); roll dimensions: diameter 115 mm, length 1700 mm

(not before 1972, not after 2005): Acquired by the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum, or its predecessor Wellcome Library, at some point between 1972 and 2005.

The handwriting is pure and crude. The letters are quite large and irregular.

The name of the owner was added by a different kind of ink in a crude writing.

Ge'ez

(not before 1800, not after 1900): The name of the owner is illegible.