“Talismanic Image (Demon), Magic Scroll, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2009

Talismanic Image (Demon), Magic Scroll, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2009

An image of a demon stares out from the first panel of a magical (prayer) scroll. The image of the demon has inherent magical significance, but it also is meant to show attacking demons their own visage, and thus to scare them. A useful introduction is Jacques Mercier’s ‘Ethiopian Magic Scrolls,’ which presents a variety of images with commentary.

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