Photos

Comments

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  Peter Hoesli November 13, 2014 at 5:18am

  Dear Marie-Ange; This is great. I for myself never take these prayers or any contents out of its container. Quite frankly, I am afraid of them. A dealer told me once that if you take it out, you should then burn it but not leave it like that as it may harm you. It sounds superstitious but I believe in it... A very nice find nevertheless... Congratulations. Peter
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  Betty November 13, 2014 at 1:04pm

  Very interesting Marie-Ange!  Congratulations.

  I never had any amulet that was complete with prayers inside, but I can imagine being torn between curiosity and a sentiment similar to Peter's. One of my very first pieces of ethnic jewellery was a Senufo healer's bracelet. The lady I got it from was a healer herself and said I was nor allowed to ever sell it or give it away or else some misfortune might strike me or the new owner. Quite apart from the fact that it is a dear souvenir, I would not dare to break my promise of keeping it...
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  Lynn Ardent November 13, 2014 at 2:33pm

  The writing is very beautiful.  Peter, you will make us all quite paranoid now.  :)  

  Sometimes when I am wearing an ethnic jewel and I am asked about it, I will talk about why I enjoy ethnographic pieces in particular, and the functional purpose they served in people's lives, and then close with, "Besides, I never know when I might need to repel the evil eye." 
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  ingrid Langerak November 13, 2014 at 3:33pm

  Just a question Marie-Ange is the prayer a text written on valum? (leather)  as they are in Ethiopia?
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  ingrid Langerak November 13, 2014 at 3:36pm

  You know mostly texts or so have been personalized by the priest who wrote them. So they have no influence on another person and also if separating from their blessed container it looses its power.

  So also beaded necklaces when taken apart  and intensely washed no harm.
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  Marie-Ange November 13, 2014 at 4:59pm

  Like Betty I never bought an amulet with a prayer inside (besides a leather Ethiopian scroll) so I was very curious how it looks and was surprised there were 2 pieces inside, of course I cannot read them.  I do not believe in dark things happening when you take it out, I put them safely back after taking pics. so all is intact again.  Ingrid I think they both are paper.  Thanks all for your comments  :)
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  Nada November 16, 2014 at 7:29am

  Beautiful find Marie-Ange. I like the rest am very superstitious about taking an amulet out, it's not logical, but there you go. The green piece is the right way up but difficult to read it does appear Arabic though. The bigger piece is upside down. Could you photograph it right way up so we could try to read it for you?
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  Lynn Ardent November 16, 2014 at 3:51pm

  I rotated the image, does that work Nada? 

  
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  Nada November 16, 2014 at 5:13pm

  Thanks Lynn, It's not all in Arabic, at least not something I understand. It starts off at the top with the title : Incantation or prayer, then

  In the name of God the Merciful and Compassionate

  God's prophet, peace be upon him.

  Followed by words in a language that is not Arabic interspersed by words that are and towards the end there is a request from God for forgiveness for sins.. so sorry the juicy bits, I can not read.
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  Marie-Ange November 16, 2014 at 6:21pm

  Thanks Lynn and Nada, very interesting to have at least these words!!