A wooden tablet inscribed with a magical formula, when kept in a household, it is supposed to bring wealth into the household.
Tag: Africa
“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.
Cat, Zege Peninsula, Lake Tana, Ethiopia, 2009
A cat lazes in the sun at a house in a hamlet on the Zege Peninsula.
Scribe, Book Market, Axum, 2009
A scribe poses with one of his books at the book market which accompanies the festival of Maryam Tsion in Axum. Scribes come from the neighbouring Tembien area to sell books they have produced in the time since the Hosanna market, the other major festival market of the year.
Treasure-Keepers, Abba Garima Monastery, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2009
Monks at the treasury of Abba Garima Monastery display the treasure-binding of a deluxe manuscript (presumably 17th-18th c.). Abba Garima Monastery is famous as the home of the oldest book in Ethiopia (not pictured), which has been carbon-dated to the 6th century. It is also the home monastery of the current patriarch, Abuna Paulos.
Flag-Bearers, Axum, Ethiopia, 2009
Abuna Paulos, Axum, Ethiopia, 2009
Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the EOTC, sits enthroned before the liturgical dancing at the festivities of St. Mary of Zion, one of the most important feasts of the Ethiopian liturgical year.
Baskets and Dye, Axum, Tigray, Ethiopia, November 2009
The basket market, under a large tree in the centre of town.
The dye sellers measure out dyes for baskets, under a different large tree near the ‘old town.’
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Women bring their brightly-colored handwoven injera baskets to the market at the center of town for the market attached to the festival of Maryam Tsion (St. Mary of Zion) in Axum, Ethiopia. The basket serves as both table and covering for meals, and is a prominent feature of many living rooms.
“Shrine #4, Harar, Ethiopia, 2009
Shrine #3, Harar, Ethiopia, 2009
