ETHIOPIAN MAGIC SCROLLS
Ethiopia, mythically Jewish until it was converted to Christianity in the fourth century, was almost isolated from Europe by the screen of Islam after the seventh century. Thus it has retained many cultural forms that disappeared elsewhere long ago—among them, a tradition of talismanic art. Talismans are not considered to be the products of human skill; they are part of a “mystery” faithfully reproduced through revelation. Thus the Ethiopian genius translated into a pictorial language on “Magic Scrolls”, the antique theory of correspondences between men, animals, stars, demons, sicknesses, etc. The artists saw their work as interlaces filled with eyes in order to protect a man as defined by his astrological sign. These paintings were considered capable of commanding spirits because of their intrinsic healing qualities, coupled with the realization of the desires of their owners—a theme of continuing interest today.
The plates in these images depict:
A two-headed demon
A guardian angel
A sun and three animals
A nocturnal angel
Abba Samuel on his lion
Saint George
How Solomon killed the Demon-blacksmith’s Kings
How king Alexander entered the land of the Eternal aided by a bird’s mouth
A demon
Daniel