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[Ethiopian scroll : healing prayer

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Item details
Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schomburg Center to submit a request in person.	Text	Use in library	Sc MG 676	Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives

Description

1 scroll : col. ill.; 360 x 11 cm.

Subjects

Genre/Form

Scrolls (documents)

Note

Illuminated manuscript scroll on vellum done with tempura and ink. Full figure portrait of St. Michael holding a sword in his right hand, and the sheath in his left hand. The scroll is comprised of three strips of parchment sewn together.
Written in Geez, the scroll was probably prepared for Weltegirima (Wolette Grima) by a "debteras" (Geez for non-ordained scribe) as a healing prayer against demons and disease. Prayers are made to St. Michael, St. Uriel, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and other angels. The prayer begins with an encantation written in red, "In the name of the Father, the Son, Holy Spirit One God. The Archangel Michael told Moses ..." The Archangel Michael is asked to rescue Grima from the evil doers as he saved Moses from Pharaoh's magicians. This is followed by a series of instructions to banish the "aganen" or evil spirits. A list of diseases or maladies from which protection is sought is also given. There are five symbols below the portrait of St. Michael which may be secret chants known by the scribe to summon benevolent spirits. On the reverse side of the scroll, a list of holy personages is given, including the 24 priests of Heaven, the 318 bishops (Council of Nicea), 150 bishops at Ephesus, 12 disclipes, etc.

Language (note)

Call Number

Sc MG 676

OCLC

312213937

Title

[Ethiopian scroll : healing prayer / commissioned by Weltegirima].

Imprint

[Ethiopia : s.n., 18--?]

Language

Text in Geez.

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Finding Aid

Research Call Number

Sc MG 676