A collection of Ethiopic manuscripts, various dates
∞ https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8mc91d3/
Online items available
Request items ↗
A collection of Ethiopic manuscripts, various dates
UCLA Library Special Collections
© 2013
Descriptive Summary
Title: A collection of Ethiopic manuscripts
Date (inclusive): various dates
Collection number: 937
Extent:
13 boxes.
Abstract: Collection contains 64 Ethiopian manuscripts.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Language of the Material:
Materials are in Ethiopic (Ge'ez), Agaw, and Amharic.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright
owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Processing Note
Ge'ez descriptions available
UCLA Library Special Collections. A computer with the Ge'ez font installed is necessary to view the Ge'ez descriptions.
Preferred Citation
E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
Scope and Content
are service books of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. There is one manuscript which is the prayer book of Beta Israel (Ethiopian
Jewish community); it is one of very few Jewish manuscripts written in Ethiopic (Ge'ez) and Agaw. Most of the manuscripts
are written in the Ethiopic (Ge'ez) language but there are some manuscripts in Amharic.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
964344
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Container List
Manuscript number: 1
Title (Romanized): Qeddāsé Māryām, Malek’ā Kidāna
Mehrat
Uniform title: Anaphora of Mary, Images of the Saints
Title (English): The Anaphora of Mary and Image of Kidana
Meherat (Covenant of Mary).
1842-1854.
Author: Cyriacus Bishop of Behnesa
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: two columns of text, 14 lines of text per page
Size: 97 mm x 64 mm x 28 mm (heighth, width, spine)
Velum, 120 pages (60 leaves)
the manuscript composed in six quires 10 leaves each
Text in black ink. Beginning of each prayer, instructions for the priests and deacons, Saint Mary's name and the name of the
Holy Trinity are in red ink
Binding: stamped leather over wooden boards.
Written by a single hand.
No drawings.
Quires??
Biography
purpose of this manuscript is for private use.
Provenance
page, it says "Ayela Eyasus's origin is in Wallaga."
Scope and Content
church. Praise for St. Mary and discourse on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the major part of the
liturgy.
Manuscript number: 2
Title (Romanized): Arede’et , Sena Feterat, Mesṭira Hāyamnot, Amestu
A’emāda Mesṭir
Uniform title: The Book of Disciples, Beauty of the Creation, Mystery of the
Faith
Title (English): The Book of Disciples, Beauty of the Creation, Mystery of the Faith (The Five Pillars of
Mystery).
18th-19th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column of text, the first book 14 lines of text per page the second book with different hand has different
lines per page.
140mm x 95m x 73m
Vellum, 300 pages
Text in black ink. Beginning of each prayer and the names of Jesus, Christ, Mary, and also the name of the owner are in red
ink
Binding: Wooden board.
The second part of Beauty of the Creation is written by another scribe in poor handwriting.
Quires?
Biography
same book which is also used by the Beta Israel (Falasha or Ethiopian Jew). It narrates how Jesus told his disciples his hidden
names. The second book, The Beauty of the Creation, also lists what God created in six days. The Five Pillars of Mystery
teaches the basic doctrine of the Ethiopian Church in catechism format.
Provenance
erased and over it inserted the second owner's name Waleda Hawareyat. The scribe of Beauty of the Creation mentions Abuna
Wold (pp. 180).
Manuscript number: 3
Title (Romanized): Weddasé Māryām, AnqaṢa Berhān,
Yewédeswā Malā’ekt, Mālk’ā Māryām,
Malek’ā Eyasus
Uniform title: Wedase Mareyam
Title (English): Praise of Mary, The Gate of the Light,
Angeles Praise Her, The Image of Mary, and the Image of Jesus.
late 19th c.
Author: Attributed to Ephrem the Syrian (500s) and St. Yared the Musician (600s)
Scribe: Gabera Eyasus
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns on vellum, 17 lines per page
Vellum, 128 pages
Size: 147 mm x 105 mm x 30 mm
Binding: stamped red leather over the board
Text in black ink, Jesus and Mary's name and the beginning of each prayer (maleke) are in red.
The manuscript is composed of quires of ten leaves each.
Some illustrations.
Provenance
Hana."
Manuscript number: 4
Title (Romanized): Ṣoma Deggwā
Uniform title: Church Hymns
Title (English): Hymns for
Lent.
Late 19th-early 20th cent.
Author: St. Yared the Musician
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 222 pages.
Two columns per page, 21 lines of text per page.
Size: 161 mm x 124 mm x 50 mm
Text mainly in black ink. The musical tones, the type of song, and the day for that song are in red ink. Small hand.
Some missing musical notes added in blue ink (pen)
Musical notations throughout, above each line of the hymn.
Binding: wooden board with leather spine, in sewn plastic case with applique and cloth strap. String
The manuscript is composed of quires of ten leaves each.
Illustration of Saint Yared p. 4.
Biography
traditional church education. Learning Soma Degguwa is the second great step after finishing reciting psalm.
Provenance
1)
Scope and Content
the Lent season into eight weeks. Almost all of the hymns are constructed around the teaching and miracles of Jesus. The
hymns discuss the teaching of Jesus in the Synagogue, his cleaning of the temple, the miracle of healing paralysis, the parable
of the faithful servant, his discussion with Nicodimus, his teaching about his second coming, his glorious entrance into
Jerusalem, his last days in Jerusalem, and his crucifixion.
Manuscript number: 5
Title (Romanized): Yetbārak Egzi’abehér amelāka Esrā’él
…
Uniform title: Prayers of the Beta Israel
Title (English): Blessed Be the Lord God of Israel ….
20th.c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Northern Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 200 pages
Two columns, 14 lines of text per page
Size: 145mm x 130mm x 40mm
Text in black ink. The beginning of each section ('me'eraf), the names of God, and the angles are in red ink.
Binding: without cover boards.
The manuscript composed in 12 quires
Biography
Most of the Ge'ez prayers are derived from the Bible, especially from Psalms, those in Agaw are more indigenous and difficult
to
translate. One of the last Beta Israel books to be written in Ge'ez or Agaw. See David Appleyard, Title??? (publisher,
date).
Provenance
Leslau.
Manuscript number: 6
Title (Romanized): MāṢehāfa ṭemeqat
Uniform title: Book of Baptism
Title (English): Book of Baptism.
20th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 72 pages
One column of text, 14 lines of text per page
Size: 148 mm x 110 mm x 40 mm
Binding: wooden boards with leather spine
Text in black ink, some names and the beginning of the prayers and instructions for Deacons and Priests are in red.
The manuscript is composed of quires of eight leaves each.
No illustrations.
Provenance
Kidane Merhat" (p. 64)
Manuscript number: 7
Title (Romanized): Mazemura Dāwit, Ṣalota Nabiyat, Wedāsé Māryām,
AnqaṢa Berhān
Uniform title: Dawit
Title (English): Psalter, Canticles of Old and New Testament
Prophets, Praise of St. Mary, The Gate of Light.
19th c.
Author: King David, Ephrem of Syria, St. Yared the Musicain
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column of text, 22 lines of text per page
Vellum, 142 pages
Size: 170 mm x 115 mm x 30 mm
Binding: wooden boards.
The front wooden board and two thirds of the Psalms pages are missing. The Psalms begin with Psalm 111 (112): 3b.
The manuscript is damaged, probably by water. The text in red ink is totally washed out or faded.
The manuscript composed in seven quires of two quires has 12 leaves each , four quires of 10 leaves each and one quire of
8
leaves.
The text is in black ink; the name of God, angels, and saints, including the scribes and the owners, and the first line of
each
book, is in red ink.
No illustrations.
Manuscript number: 8
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot ba᾽eneta Ḥemāma Ayena ṭelā wa-
Ayena Wareq, Māhléta Ṣegé, Seyefa Śelāssé,Qeddāsé
Māryām
Uniform title: Prayer, Qedāsé
Title (English): Prayer against the Disease of Ayena
ṭelā and wa- Ayena Warek, Canticles of the Flower (Mary), Sword of Trinity, Anaphora of St. Mary.
20th c.
Author: Various authors
Scribe: Habeta Mareyam
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: pp1-65 and 207-217 One column of texts. Pp75-206 and 219 two column of text
Vellum, 272 pages. The first four blank pages with out page numbers.
Size: 120mm x 94 mm x 40 mm
Binding: stamped red leather over the board
each book written with different hand.
The first book of the manuscript composed in one quire of two leaves, three quires of ten leaves each and one quire of six
leaves.
The second book of the manuscript composed in one quire of four leave one ten leave six quires of eight leaves each one qiere
of
five leaves.
The third book in composed in one quire of six pages.
The fourth book composed one quire of ten leaves one quire of
eight leaves and one quire of six leaves.
Text is in black ink. Divine and saints name in red ink
Provenance
6, 12, 13, etc). Canticles of the Flower was owned by Hayela Sellase (pp. 141). And the second owner of that book is Waleda
Mareyam (pp. 141). Sword of Trinity owned by Walda Zena Markos (pp. 209, 212, 217). The Anaphora of St. mary was owned
by Walda Tensae (pp. 219, 265).
Scope and Content
names for protection from evil spirits.
Māhaléta Ṣegé are songs for St. Mary sung during Zamana Sege (the season of flowers), the
season between Meskaram (September/October) 26 and Hedar (November) 6. The seaons is the commemoration of the flight of
the Holy Family to Egypt.
Sword of Trinity. Praise for the Holy Trinity and prayer for protection from evil spirits and evil people.
Manuscript number: 9
Title (Romanized): Tā’amerā Mareyam Maqdem Tergwāme
Uniform title: Te'amera
Mareyam
Title (English): Commentary on the Introductory Rite of Almuqqā of the Miracle of Mary.
20th c.
Author: Ethiopian church scholar
Scribe: ???
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, 11 lines of text per page
Vellum, 134 pages. The first four pages are blank and with out page nambers
Size: 100mm x 70mm x 35mm
Composed of quires of eight and ten leaves each.
Text in black ink. Beginning of each chapter (parts) and also the divine and church father names in red ink.
Binding: wooden boards
Biography
Miracles of St. Mary must be read before any other reading from the book. There are two types of introduction. The longer
one
presented in this manuscript is read every Sunday and on the feast of St. Mary. The introduction of the Miracles of St. Mary
is
also known as the Book of Order, which discusses how the book of the Miracles of St. Mary came to Ethiopia. In addition to
its
introduction about the honor of St. Mary and her miracles and the importance of reading her miracles, the book also lists
the 33
feasts of St. Mary. Based upon the method of andmeta commentary, the author tries to comment on the introduction and points
out the importance of honoring her feast and hearing the reading of the miracle. The author also explains the severity of
the
anathema of the fathers on those who have not followed this order.
Provenance
Scope and Content
individual commentary. The writer follows the 'anedemta' commentary style. The main theme is about the usefulness of listening
to the reading of the book of the Miracles of St. Mary and keeping the 23 feasts of St. Mary
Manuscript number: 10
Title (Romanized): ṭabiba ṭabibān; Arde‛et
Uniform title: Hymn to God; Book of
the Disciples
Title (English): The Wisest of the Wise; Book of the Disciples.
Late 19th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column of text per page,11 lines of text per page
Vellum, 166 pages
Size: 102 mm x 74 mm x 33 mm
Binding: stamped red leather over the board
The manuscript is composed of quires of eight leaves each
Text is in black ink. The beginning of each chapter (parts) and prayers with divine names are in red ink.
No illustrations
Scope and Content
see MS no. …
Manuscript number: 11
Title (Romanized): Deresāna Mikā’él
Uniform title: Deresan
Title (English): Homilies on St. Michael the Archangel.
19th c.
Author: The homilies are attributed to the bishops of Alexandria and Ethiopia.
Scribe: Habeta Maryam
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 274 pages
Two columns per page, 19 lines of text per page
Size: 195 mm x 140 mm x 59 mm
The manuscript composed of fourteen quires of two quires of four leaves, four quires of twelve leaves and eight quires of
ten
leaves each.
Text in black ink. The beginning of each homily and the names of Jesus and the archangel Michael are in red ink.
Binding: wooden board with string binding
Some illustrations.
Biography
month. Each homily includes a miracle of the Archangel Michael and hymns for him.
Provenance
Maryam.
Scope and Content
Following each homily there is one miracle of St. Michael and the Synaxarium about St. Michael for each
month.
Manuscript number: 12
Title (Romanized): Sayefa Śellāsé, Dersāna Mikā᾽él, Amestu
A'emāda Mesṭir
Uniform title: The Sword of the Trinity, Homily of St. Michael, The Five Pillars of the
Faith
Title (English): The Sword of the Trinity; Homily On St. Michael; Introduction of The Five Pillars of the Faith.
Late 18th.c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns per page,17 lines of text per page
Vellum, 100 pages
Size: 165 mm x 130 mm x 30 mm
The manuscript is composed of quires of eight leaves each.
Text is in black ink, the beginning of each prayer and divine names are in red ink.
Binding: wooden board without a cover for the spine
Some borders as illustrations.
Provenance
from the text and replaced with the name Gabera Heyewot
Scope and Content
the Trinity based on God's attributes. Theology of the Triune God. Prayer for protection from evil spirits, evil persons,
magicians,
and sorcerers.
Manuscript number: 13
Title (Romanized): Nages (Egzi᾽abehér Nagesa)
Uniform title: Hymns for Saints' Feasts
Title (English): Enthroned (God Is Enthroned).
20th c.
Author: Various Ethiopian church scholars.
Scribe: Gabera Le'ul
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column per page, thirteen lines of text per page
Vellum, 222 pages
Size: 135 mm x 87 mm x 48 mm
Text in black ink, beginning of each nagese divine and saints' names in red ink.
Binding: wooden boards. With protective vellum cover over the vellum only. Leather spine cover.
The manuscript is composed of very different quires (in number of leaves and size).
No illustrations.
Provenance
second owner is listed as "This book belongs to Dabetera Nadew's. End of Nages [the book]." (p. 2)
Scope and Content
Manuscript number: 14
Title (Romanized): Amesetu A᾽emāda Mesṭir; Bāhera Ḥāsab;
Nags
Uniform title: The Five Pillars of Mystery; Computus; Hymns
Title (English): The Five Pillars of Mystery, Computus
of Ethiopian Calendar; Hymns to God and Saints.
Late 19th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 120 pages
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, fourteen lines of text per page
Binding: wooden boards
Size: 122 mm x 85 mm x 29 mm
Most of the manuscript is composed of quires of eight leaves each.
The text is in black ink; the name of God, angels, and saints, including the scribes and the owners, and the first line of
each
book, is in red ink.
No illustrations.
Provenance
Manuscript number: 15
Title (Romanized): Mesālyāta Salomon; Daqiqa Nabiyāt
Uniform title: Book of Proverbs and
Minor Prophets
Title (English): Proverbs of Solomon; The Minor Prophets.
19th-20th c,.
Author: According to the tradition of Ethiopia, the authors of the Book of Proverbs is King Solomon.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 178 pages
Binding: wooden boards
Size: 185mm x 165mm x 65mm
Text is in black ink, some names and titles of the chapters are in red.
The manuscript is composed of ten quires of one quire of four leave one quire of eight leaves eight quires of ten leaves
each.
Biography
given to Proverbs, Tagsas, Wisdom, and Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.In this manuscript Song of Song is not included. The
reason seems to be that Song of Songs is usually attached with Psalms and it becomes part of the church service book. The
manuscript also contains the books of the 12 minor prophets. Like the other Christian traditions, the Ethiopian scholars
also
divided the book of the prophets of the Old Testament into two parts, Abayet Nabiyāt (major prophets) and Daqiqa
Nabiyāt (minor prophets). Critical editions and translations of parts of the Ethiopic versions of the books of Solomon and
minor prophets of Ethiopic version were conducted, especially in Europe. For full discussion see ??????.
Provenance
book is for Tasaruye Waleda Selasse. I, Abba Matthias, put the seal twice by mistake." p.177 Tasefa Iyasus is also mentioned
as the owner.
Scope and Content
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Wisdom of Solomon, and the books of the minor prophets
Manuscript number: 16
Title (Romanized): Saātāt; Nages; Liton
Uniform title: The Hours; Hymns for Saints; Liton
Title
(English):The Hours; Hymns for Saints; Liton.
early 18th c.
Author: Abba Giorgis of Segla (Gascha) and other unknown Ethiopian scholars
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns per page,13 lines of text per page
Vellum, 226 pages
Size: 145 mm x 140 mm x 68 mm
Binding: wooden boards
Text is in black ink; the beginning of some prayers and St. Mary's name are in red ink.
The manuscript is composed of fifteen quires of eight and ten leaves each.
Some leaves missing at the end.
Provenance
Someone has inserted as a bookmark a blank form of colonial Italy's 'Telegramma in partaenza'. On the back of the form, it
is
written in Amharic, 'I, Mekonnen Gezaw, borrowed from my father Abba Jerom four Ethiopian Birr. Regarding my borrowing, I
have confirmed it with my signature. I swear by the name of my father Abba Jerome. The guarantor is Aleqa Like Tebebt.
Genebot (May ) 16, 1938 [EC]."
Manuscript number: 17
Title (Romanized): Sayefa Malakot
Uniform title: The Sword of Divinity
Title (English): The Sword of
Divinity.
20th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Gabera Egezi'abher
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, eight lines of text per page
Vellum, 36 pages
Size: 120 mm x 85 mm 12 mm
Text in red ink. Some faded parts are written for the second time in blue ink. Last page in blue ink.
Binding: Cardboard boards and string.
Illustrations.
Quires?
Scope and Content
protection from various demonic and personal attacks.
Manuscript number: 18
Title (Romanized): Dersāna Mikā᾽él
Uniform title: Deresan
Title
(English):Homily on St. Michael the Archangel.
20th c.
Author: Ethiopian and other church scholars
Scribe: Gabera Woled
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column per page; 19 lines of text per page
Vellum, 244 pages
Size: 214 mm x 149 mm x 60 mm
Binding: smooth wooden boards with leather case and strap
Text in black ink, the archangels and saints' names and titles of the chapters are in red.
The manuscript is composed of quires of four, ten, twelve, and sixteen leaves each
Illustrations: some drawings and illustrated borders at the beginning of each month.
Pp.2, 3, 234, 238, 242 Illustrations of Mary, St. Michael, and St. Gabriel with pen and color.
Pp. 25, 42, 79, 154, 244 Crude drawings with pencil.
Biography
Provenance
his name and his family's name in many place in the text: Gabra Selase, Senesata Mareyam (Tajitu), Gabera Madehen, Gabera
Selase (Bafeqadu).
Scope and Content
Following each homily there is related one miracle of St. Michael and the synaxarium about St. Michael for the twelfth day
of
each month.
Manuscript number: 19
Title (Romanized): Ta᾽amera Māryām; Ta᾽amera Eyasus; Ta᾽amera Giyorgis;
Ta᾽amera Mikaél;Ta᾽amera Gaber᾽él
Uniform title: Taamer
Title
(English): The Miracles of Mary, Miracle of Jesus, Miracle of St. George, Miracle of Michael, Miracle of Gabriel.
20th.
Author: Traditionally ascribed to Bishop Daksios or Daqsios.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 170 Pages.
Two columns per page, 19 lines of text per page.
Size: 210 mm x 160 mm x 52 mm
Binding is wooden boards with stamped leather and string to tie closed.
The majority of the manuscript is composed of quires of ten leaves each.
The text is in black ink; the divine names of the saints and also the first few words of the miracles with the Trinitarian
formula are
in red ink.
No illustrations
Biography
morning prayers. Local saints or patron saints or angels of that particular church can be added in the readings of collected
miracles. But these miracles are the most popular among laity and clergy. The collection of the Miracles of Mary are always
at
the center of the readings. The Miracles of St. Mary have a special introduction.
Provenance
Scope and Content
and St. Gabriel.
Manuscript number: 20
Title (Romanized): Lefāfa Sedeq; Manegada Samāy
Uniform title: Magical Prayers
Title
(English):The Bandlet of Righteousness, The Way of Heaven.
20th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, folded a concertina
Size: 48 mm x 55 mm x 15 mm
Binding: Faced with paper board and tied with string. On two strips of vellum.
The text is in black ink; the divine names, the saints, and the name of the owner with the Trinitarian formula are in red
ink.
Two illustrations in crude hand.
Biography
and nuns of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. In the past, like the Egyptian book of the dead, it was buried with the dead,
but this
tradition is no longer common.
Provenance
Mareyam.
Scope and Content
hand of God the Father" and given to St. Mary before Christ was born. It contains prayers and the hidden names of
God.
Manuscript number: 21
Title (Romanized): Māzemurā Dāwit, Asmat
Uniform title: Magical Prayers
Title
(English): Psalms (for magical purposes).
20th.
Author: According to the tradition of the church, David is the author of these psalms.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, folded like concertina, text on both sides.
Size: 60 mm x 65 mm x 5 mm
No binding, composed of two strips of vellum.
The text is in black ink, but like other magical books, the beginning of each prayer and some magical names ('asmat') and
magical tables are in red ink.
No illustrations.
Biography
orthodox church), parts of the Psalms are useful for magical purposes. The scribe of this magical book is himself
Dābtāra. Added at the end of the Psalms are other magical prayers and claims that reciting these prayers can
bring love and wealth.The instruction is in Amharic mixed with some Ge'ez words.
Scope and Content
instruction.
Manuscript number: 22
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot b᾽enetā ᾽amāsno
mā᾽esāru lāsāyetān
Uniform title: Magical Prayers
Title (English): Prayer
to Destroy the Binding of Satan.
20th.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, folded like concertina, text on both sides.
Size: 55 mm x 53 mm x 14 mm
No binding, composed of two strips of vellum.
The text is in black ink, but like other magical books, the beginning of each prayer and some magical names ('asmat') are
in red
ink. The magical images are drawn with black and red inks.
Twenty nine magical illustrations in black and red ink.
Biography
(epilepsy).
Provenance
the middle of the text.
Scope and Content
the magical or hidden names, it also contains certain passages from the the gospels.
Manuscript number: 23
Title (Romanized): Sayefa Malakot
Uniform title: Prayers
Title (English): Sword of Divinity.
1900s.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, 10 lines of text per page
Vellum, 56 pages
Size: 86 mm x 70 mm x 14 mm
Binding: hard paper boards, but text in vellum
No illustrations.
Provenance
Scope and Content
days.
Manuscript number: 24
Title (Romanized): Mazemura Dāwit; salota nābiyat; Weddasé Māryām;
AneqaṢa Berhān
Uniform title: Psalter
Title (English): Psalter, Old and New Testament Canticles, Praise
of Mary, and The Gate of Light.
18th c.
Author: Biblical authors, including Ephrem of Syria and St. Yared the the Musician
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 360 pages
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, 21 lines of text per page
Vellum, 360 pages
Size: 160 mm x 120 mm x 64 mm
Text in black ink. Beginning of each chapter, title of the chapter, and names of God, Mary, and the angels in red ink.
Binding: stamped leather over wooden board.
In Psalms, strings of words were missing, but were then inserted above the line or after the line by the same scribe. These
additional words (often ten or twelve in a row) are written in the same hand, but smaller
The manuscripts composed in eighteen quieres
Provenance
(of) Dejazmach Emru." On p.3, someone tried to erase the writing that said "this psalter is for Dejazmach
Emru."
Manuscript number: 25
Title (Romanized): Masehafa Qeddasé
Uniform title: Qedāsé
Title (English): The Book of
Missal.
20th c.
Author: Various scholars
Scribe:
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 268 pages
Layout: Two columns per page, 14 lines of text per page
Size: 250mm x 222mm x 60mm
Binding: stamped leather over the board
Text in black ink. Beginning of each prayer and anaphora, instructions for the priests and deacons, and also the order of
pointing
and benediction over the Host (bread) and the cup (wine) are in red ink.
The manuscript composed in fifteen quires
Biography
church. In addition to that, like most published missals, it also contains the Office Prayer, Liton, intercessory prayers,
and
"enthronement" prayers. The order of the fourteen anaphoras and the following prayers are the same as in the published book
of
missal.
Provenance
Manuscript number: 26
Title (Romanized): Ta’amra Eyesus
Uniform title: Miracles of Jesus
Title (English): Miracles of
Jesus.
19th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 124 pages.
Two columns, the majority of the text is in 21 and 25 lines of text per page.
Size: 234 mm x 188 mm x 54 mm
Text is in black ink. The beginning of each miracle and the names of Jesus and Mary are in red ink.
Binding: with wooden board and string.
The manuscript is composed of seven quires of eight leaves each and one quire of six leaves.
No illustrations.
Provenance
121). Walata Rufael (probably the second owner) also inserted her name (p. 124). The most recent owner is Abba Gabera
Mika'el, who is listed on the end page and put the anathema on those who would try to steal the book.
Scope and Content
stories about his infancy from the apocryphal gospels.
Manuscript number: 27
Title (Romanized): Teregwame Wanegel
Uniform title: Commentary
Title (English): Commentary on the
Gospel.
19th.
Author: Ethiopian church scholars
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns; lines of text per page vary
Vellum and paper, 214 pages
Size: 230mm x 168mm x 58mm
Binding: wooden board
Text in black ink, the beginnig of each section (guba'e) is in red.
The manuscript is composed of one quire of eight leaves, five quiries of ten leaves each, and two quires of fourteen leaves
each,
one quire additional of six leaves.
Provenance
Scope and Content
abbreviated form. The purpose of the manuscript is to serve as a pneumatic or reference book for the 'andem' student trying
to
memorize the whole text of the gospels.
Manuscript number: 28
Title (Romanized): Mazemura Dāwit,Ṣalotā nabiyāt, Mahālya
Mahāley,Weddāsé Māryām, Anqāsā Berhan
Uniform
title: Psalter
Title (English): Psalter, Old and New Testament canticles, Song of Songs, Praise of Mary, and The Gate of
Light.
Late 19th c.
Author: King David, Ephrem the Syrian, and Yared the Musician
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Psalms and the canticles are written in one column per page and 22 lines of text per page. Praise of Mary
and Gate of Light are written in two columns.
Vellum, 382 pages
Size: 154 mm x 93 mm x 52 mm
Binding: wooden boards
The majority of the manuscript is composed of seven quires of twelve leaves each.
Text is in black ink. The opening verse of the chapters of the Psalter, the first word of the prayers from Praise of Mary
and Gate
of Light, and the name of the Virgin Mary are in red ink.
Illustrations p. 2, 3
Manuscript number: 29
Title (Romanized): Dersanā Mahyawi, Ṣalota Kidan
Uniform title: Homily and Office Prayer
Title
(English): Homily of the Savior and Office Prayer.
19th c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Gabera Egezi'abeher
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: two columns, the majority of the manuscript is eighteen lines of text per page
Vellum, 210 pages
Size: 212 mm x 169 mm x 50 mm
Binding: Wooden board covered with sewn khaki fabric and khaki handle
Most of the manuscript is composed of quires of eight leaves each.
Text in black ink but the opening of prayers and the name of Christ is in red ink.
No illustrations.
Provenance
cancelled the previous owner's name and inserted his own name and his wife's name Amata Mika'el (pp. 265).
Manuscript number: 30
Title (Romanized): Arede'et
Uniform title: Prayer book
Title (English): The Book of the Disciples.
1900s.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 88 pages.
One column of text per page, 17 lines of text per page.
Size: 132 mm x 89 mm x 32 mm
Binding is wooden boards and string.
Text is in black ink, the beginning of each prayer and Christ's name are in red ink.
The manuscript is composed of four quires of ten leaves each and one quire of four leaves.
No illustrations.
Scope and Content
by the Beta Israel (Falasha or Ethiopian Jewish) community. It narrates how Jesus told his disciples his hidden
names.
Manuscript number: 31
Title (Romanized): A'emadā Mesetir, Ra'eyā Barok
Uniform title: Dogma (doctrine) of the church,
Catechism of the Ethiopian Church
Title (English): The Pillars of Mystery, The Vision of Baruch.
1900s.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: ???
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: pp.1-22 one column per page, pp. 23-138 two columns,14 lines of text per page
Vellum, 138 pages
Binding: wooden board
Size: 194 mm x 123mm x 45mm
Text in black ink. Beginning of each chapter, divine names, and church fathers names in red ink.
Manuscript is composed of seven quires of ten leaves each.
Biography
Church. It is the summery of the faith of the Orthodox church and the basis of the systematic theology of the church. Based
on
the Nicene Creed it presents the faith of the Orthodox fathers. The manuscript is the early Amharic translation of the Ge'ez
text.
The Vision of Baruch is one of five books attributed to Baruch, the scribe of the Prophet Jeremiah. The Vision of Baruch is
also
called The Fifth Baruch or The Ethiopic Apocalypse of Baruch, also used by the Ethiopian Jewish (Beta Israel) community. For
a
detailed discussion about the Beta Israel/Falasha version, see Leslau's Falasha Antology (1951).
Provenance
Scope and Content
mystery of the trinity, the incarnation, baptism, holy communion, and the resurrection of the dead. It is in the format of
questions
and answers from the Old and New Testaments and also from the patristic writings. The second book, The Vision of Baruch, is
the Christian rather than Jewish version of the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Baruch. When the Angel Sutu'el took Baruch to Heaven,
he saw the punishment of sinners and the reward of the just.
Manuscript number: 32
Title (Romanized): Qeddāsé Māryām, Kidan, Mālke'ā
Mādehané Alām, Malek’a Mikā᾽él, Malek’a Edom
Uniform
title:Anaphora, Images of the Saints
Title (English): Anaphora of St. Mary, Office Prayer, Image of the Savior of the World,
Image of St. Michael, Image of Edom.
1900s?.
Author: Traditionally, the author of Anaphora of St. Mary is St. Heryaqos of Behnesa
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column of text per page, 14 lines of text per page
Vellum, 178 pages
Size: 116 mm x 83 mm x 42 mm
Binding: Wooden boards
Text in black ink. Angels' and saints' names and the beginning of prayers are in red ink.
Some border designs; no other illustrations.
Quires?
Biography
Mary. Listening to the commentaries on this Anaphora of St. Mary and also the Praise of Mary are at the center of the mass
and
private devotion.
Manuscript number: 33
Title (Romanized): Tāmahesānku … Giyorgis
Uniform title: Prayer book
Title (English): I Beseech George (Supplication to St. George).
1900s.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Kidana Mareyam
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: two columns per page, with 13 lines of text per page.
Vellum, 92 pages
Size: 147 mm x 105 mm x 7 mm
Binding: Without cover, but string binding
The manuscript is composed of four quires of ten leaves and one quire of six leaves.
Text is in black ink with the names of saints in red ink.
Several notes in the upper margin of the pages serve as captions for the illustrations of the martyrdom of St. George, but
some of
the explanations and the images don't match. Probably the captions were written first and the illustrations done later.
Twenty-three illustrations of scenes from the saint's life. Most in black ink, some in pencil.
descriptive data: Text in black ink, the name of the saint in red ink.
The manuscript is composed of quires of Ten leaves each
Biography
and asks for the protection of the martyr. Following each prayer, there is a list of hidden names which have magical
power.
Scope and Content
George.
Manuscript number: 34
Title (Romanized): Ṣelota Kidan; Temehereta Hebu'at,;Malk’ā Māryām;
Malk’ā Iyesus; Malk’ā Giyorgis; Sayefa
Śellāsé;QedaseMāreyām; Malek’a
Śellāsé;Malk’ā Takela Hayemanot; Malk’ā Medehane Alem.
Uniform title: Images of the Saints
Title (English): Office Prayer, Mystagogia, Binding of Demons, Image of Mary, Image of Jesus,
Image of George, Sword of Trinity, Anaphora of St. Mary, Image of Trinity, Image of St. Takela Haymanot, Image of Medehane
Alem.
1874-1926.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Abba Wolda Aragawi, Gabera Giyorgis
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: two columns of text, 15 lines of text per page.
Vellum and paper, 432 pages
Size: 155 mm x 115 mm x 59 mm
Binding is wooden boards with stamped red leather. In leather case with strap (very typical case).
The manuscript is composed of nine quires of ten leaves each, seven quires of twelve leaves each. The remaining four quires
have five, six, nine, eleven,and fourteen leaves each.
The text is in black ink; the names of God, angels, and saints, including the scribes and the owners, and the first line of
each
book, are in red ink.
Pp. 323-432 in paper leaves, the rest of the manuscript in vellum
No portraits but geographic drawings as borders.
Provenance
269). The second owner is Walda Meskel (pp. 141).
Scope and Content
which, according to church tradition, the apostles received from Jesus Christ after his resurrection. It also includes 'malek'
or
images of Jesus and the saints.
Manuscript number: 35
Title (Romanized): Arganon
Uniform title: Hymns for St. Mary
Title (English): Arganon (Praise) of Mary.
16th c.-17th c.
Author: Aba Giyorgis of Gascha (Segla)
Scribe:
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns per page, 18 lines of text per page
Vellum, 256 pages
Size: 222mm x 190mm x 80mm
Binding is wooden boards
Texts in black ink, the beginning of each prayer and St. Mary's name is in red ink.
The manuscript is composed of quires of eight and ten leaves each.
Illustrations?????
Biography
Ethiopia. Following the advent of the Book of the Miracles of St. Mary, Abba Giyorgis was vigorously promoting the cult of
St.
Mary. In Arganon he intertwined biblical and patristic writings of the church with his new Mariology.
Manuscript number: 36
Title (Romanized): Wānegel Zāyohanes
Uniform title: New Testament (Gospel)
Title (English): Gospel of John.
19th c.
Author: According to church tradition, John the Evangelist is the author of the fourth gospel.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 208 pages
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns of text, 17 lines of text per page.
Vellum, 208 pages
Size: 142 mm x 100 mm x 47 mm
Binding: wooden boards with a leather cover
Text in black ink, some names and titles of the chapters are in red.
No illustrations.
Quires?
Biography
from its prominent place in the church, the Gospel of John is the starting point in traditional church school for reading
church
books and developing Ge'ez vocabulary.
Provenance
of light) (p. 204)
Manuscript number: 37
Title (Romanized): Dersāna Raguel, Malek’ā Raguel,Malek’ā Giyorgis
Uniform title: Homily on St Raguel, Image of Saints
Title (English): Homily on St Raguel, Image of Raguel, Image of George.
19th.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column of text per page, 11 lines of text per page.
Vellum, 94 pages
Size: 118mm x 88mm x 19mm
Binding: wooden boards with stamped leather cover
Text in black ink. The beginning of the text and the saint's name is in red ink.
The manuscript composed in six quires of one quire of 2 leaves two quires of 8 leaves and three qiures of 10 leaves.
Manuscript number: 38
Title (Romanized): Malek’ā Māryām, Malek’ā Eyasus
Uniform title: Image of Mary, Image of Jesus
Title (English): Image of Mary, Image of Jesus.
20th.
Author: Image of Mary is traditionally attributed to King Na'od.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column of text per page, 13 lines of text per page
Vellum, 76 pages
Size: 115 mm x 85 mm x 32 mm
The manuscript is composed of quires of six and eight leaves each.
Binding: wooden boards with string. The back board is broken.
Texts in black ink, the beginning of each prayer and Christ's name are in red ink.
Some border designs, but no other illustrations.
Manuscript number: 39
Title (Romanized): Sā'atat
Uniform title: Horologium
Title (English): The Hours.
19th.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Abba Giyorgis of Sagela, Ethiopia.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column per page, mostly 13 lines of text per page, but it varies.
Vellum. 160 pages
Size: 110 mm x 85 mm x 40 mm
Binding: wooden boards
Text in black ink, some names and beginning of each prayer in red ink.
The manuscript is composed of ten quires of 8 leaves each.
No illustrations.
Provenance
Manuscript number: 40
Title (Romanized): Wānegel Zāyohāns
Uniform title: Gospel of John
Title (English): Gospel of John.
19th.
Author: According to tradition, the author of the fourth gospel is St. John the Evangelist.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: two columns per page, 17 lines of text per page
Vellum, 150 pages
Size: 150 mm x 110 mm x 43 mm
Binding is wooden boards with stamped leather
The manuscript is composed of five quires of ten leaves each, two quires of eight leaves each, and one quire of nine leaves.
Text is in black ink; the beginning of the section (me'eraf) and the name of Jesus are in red ink.
Illustrations on pp. 2 and 149, and decorated borders elsewhere.
Biography
most popular gospel. It is part of the curriculum in the early stages of traditional church education.
Provenance
Mareyam (p. 146). Also, with a crude hand are added the words, "This book is for Ato Gabera Mikael" (p. 149).
Scope and Content
concerning the method of dividing chapters. Ethiopian scholars divided the gospel into more chapters to help students to
memorize the gospel with its commentary.
Manuscript number: 41
Title (Romanized): Taseā’elotāta Zenāhomu la'abew Manakosāt
Gebesāweyān
Uniform title: Monastic book
Title (English): Philoxenus or Questions on the Sayings of the
Egyptian Fathers.
1700s or 1800s.
Author: Attributed to Philoxenus of Mabbug (based on the writings of Palladius, Bishop of Helenopolis)
Scribe:
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 216 pages
Two columns per page, 20 lines of text per page.
Size: 190mm x 170mm x 56mm
The manuscript is composed 12 quires of one quire of 2 leaves one quire of eight leaves ten quires of ten leaves
Text in black ink. The beginning of each chapter (each part) and also the names of saints and church fathers in red ink.
Binding: wooden board (broken)
Biography
text, this book was written by Philoxenus, Bishop of Mabbug or Hierapolis (modern Aleppo of Syria), one of the defenders of
the
non-Chalcedonian (Jacobite) movement. It is based on the collection of The Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Some modern
historians reject the idea that Philoxenus authored this book and attribute it to Dadiso Qatrayas, a Nestorian monk of today's
Qatar. For more on this debate, see the "Filkeseyus" entry in Encyclopedia Aethiopica, vol. ? (Hamburg, 19??).
Provenance
Mika'el (P. 5 and 212).
Scope and Content
Amharic, called 'anedemtā' commentary, which serves as a reminder to the reader of commentaries about the specific
words or passages next to which the notes are written.
Manuscript number: 42
Title (Romanized): MaṢehafa Qeddāsé
Uniform title: Qedāsé
Title (English): Book of Missal.
1874-1913.
Author: Various church fathers
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 184 pages
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns per page, text lines per page varies.
Vellum, 184 pages
Size: 246 mm x 185 mm x 79 mm
Binding is wooden boards and string
Text in black ink. Beginning of each prayer and anaphora with instructions for Deacon and Priest in red ink. Includes musical
notation.
No illustrations.
Quires????
Scope and Content
anaphoras. The anaphoras included in this manuscript are used frequently in liturgical services.
Manuscript number: 43
Title (Romanized): Malek’ā Giyorgis, Malek’ā Mika᾽él,
Uniform title: Mālek'e
Title (English): Image of George, Image of Michael.
19th.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: one column per page, average thirteen lines of text per page.
Vellum, 68 pages.
Size: 120 mm x 90 mm x 18 mm
Text is in black ink. The beginning of each prayer and the name of the saints are in red ink.
The manuscript is composed in four quires of eight leaves each.
Biography
churchmen, especially Dabeteras. The manuscript has very interesting miniatures of various saints and demons. These
drawings are used for magical purposes.
Provenance
cursed. This book belongs to Aleqa Bezabeh Kassa." But on p. 34 the owner is mentioned as Gebra Mareyam.
Manuscript number: 44
Title (Romanized): Qeddāsé Maryam
Uniform title: Qedāsé
Title (English): Anaphora of St. Mary.
20th c.
Author: Traditionally the book is attributed to Abba Cyriacus of Bihnsa.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, eleven lines of text per page.
Vellum, 84 pages
Binding is wooden board.
Size: 112 mm x 80 mm x 30 mm
The manuscript is composed of four quires of eight leaves each and two quires of four leaves each.
Text is in black ink. The instruction for priests and deacons and the name of St. Mary are in red ink.
Decorative borders but no other illustrations.
Biography
Fasting of the Assumption especially, it is common to read the Anaphora of St. Mary. Listening to the commentaries on this
anaphora and Praise of Mary are at the center of the liturgy and private devotion.
Manuscript number: 45
Title (Romanized): Ta'amra Māryām
Uniform title: Miracles of St. Mary, Miracles of Jesus,
Bible
Title (English): Miracles of St. Mary, Miracles of Jesus, Readings from the Bible.
1889-1913.
Author: Miracles of St. Mary traditionally attributed to Bishop Daqeseyos.
Scribe: Wolda Heyewat
Origin: Ethiopia/ Gure Sellase
Physical Description: Vellum, 176 pages
Two columns per page, lines of text per page vary.
Wooden boards without leather; with string binding. In leather case with strap.
Size: 278 mm x 220 mm x 55 mm
The manuscript is composed of ten quires of ten leaves each.
Text in black ink. The beginning of each miracle and the name of St. Mary are in red ink.
Decorative border illustrations.
Manuscript number: 46
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot bā᾽eneta bāreyā; Ṣalota
Mastem
Uniform title: Magical prayers
Title (English): Prayers against Epilepsy, Prayers of Māstem.
19th.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, scroll
One column
Size: 2245 mm x 110 mm
Text in black ink. Some words and divine and owner's names in red ink.
Illustrations: two images in ink and color of angels and one magical drawing.
Biography
of demons.
Provenance
Berenash).
Scope and Content
the binding of demons is for seven days, followed by horoscope analysis of the owner and her magical hidden
name.
Manuscript number: 47
Title (Romanized): Lefafā Ṣdeq
Uniform title: Magical Prayers
Title (English): Bandlet of Righteousness.
20th c.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, 9 lines of text per page
Vellum, 68 pages
Size: 83 mm x 60 mm x 24 mm
Binding is wooden boards and the manuscript is in a leather case with a strap so it can be placed around the neck.
The manuscript is composed of four quires of eight leaves each.
Text is in black ink. The beginning of each prayer and the name of saints are in red ink.
No illustrations.
Biography
talisman. The nuns and older women put this manuscript around their necks. It also is put on the necks of children and animals
when they become sick.
Provenance
are women).
Scope and Content
prayers of the soul on the way to heaven.
Manuscript number: 48
Title (Romanized): Salāmtā, Nagara Haymanot, Malek’ā Gabre’él, Mahlet
Ṣegé, Sāqoqāwa Denegel
Uniform title: Māleke
Title (English): Greetings, part of
The Beauty of Creation, Image of St. Gabriel, Canticle of the Flower, Lamentation of the Virgin, Greetings of St. Michael.
119th.c.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns per page, twenty three lines of text per page.
Binding: wooden boards with no leather cover, string binding
Velum, 102 pages
Size: 158 mm x 92 mm x 25 mm
The manuscript is composed of six quires of eight leaves each and one quire of four leaves.
Text is in black ink and the beginning of the book and each prayer is in red ink.
Color illustrations of saints.
Manuscript number: 49
Title (Romanized): Marbabeta Salomon
Uniform title: Magical prayers
Title (English): Prayer of King Solomon for
Catching Demons (Marbabta Solomon).
19th.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, Scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with three strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1495 mm x 86 mm
The text is in black ink. The beginging of each prayer and the name of the owner and dvine names are in red ink.
Some illustrations.
Provenance
Scope and Content
demons. Marbabeta Solomon literally means "Net of Solomon." Healing images are common in most magical prayers. The
prayer in this manuscript protects the owner from the hand of his enemies, from evil spirits which come as lions or tigers,
and
from other diseases.
Manuscript number: 50
Title (Romanized): Marbabeta Salomon, Ṣalota Susnyos
Uniform title: Magical prayers
Title (English): Prayer of King Solomon for Catching of Demons, Prayer of Susneyos.
18th. C.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, Scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1600 mm x 115 mm
Text in black ink. Names of the saints, the beginning of each prayer, the names of the owners are in red ink
Some illustrations.
Provenance
women).
Scope and Content
scroll also includes the well-known magical prayer of Susneyos.
Manuscript number: 51
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot ba᾽eneta Mā᾽esaromu la-
Agān᾽ent
Uniform title: Magical prayer
Title (English): Prayer about binding of Demons. Prayer of St.
Susneyos.
19th.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, Scroll
Size: 1685 mm x 95 mm
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with three strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
The text is in black ink. The beginning of each prayer, divine names, and owner's name are in red ink.
Some illustrations
Provenance
Scope and Content
well-known magical prayer against children's diseases.
Manuscript number: 52
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot ba᾽eneta Mā᾽esara
Agān᾽ent
Uniform title: Magical Prayers
Title (English): Prayer for the Binding of Demons, Prayer of
Susneyos.
20th. C.
Author: Unknown
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with three strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1515 mm x 95 mm
Text in black ink. Saints and owners' names and the beginning of each prayer are in red ink.
Some illustrations.
Provenance
Manuscript number: 53
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot ba᾽eneta Mā᾽esara
Agān᾽ent
Uniform title: Magical Prayers
Title (English): Prayer for the Binding of Demons.
18th c.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with two strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1240 mm x 90 mm
Text in black ink. Saints and owners' names and the beginning of each prayer are in red ink.
Some illustrations.
Provenance
Manuscript number: 54
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot ba᾽eneta Mā᾽esara
Agān᾽ent
Uniform title: Magical Prayer
Title (English): Prayer for the binding of demons.
19th. C.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, Scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with two strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1864 mm x 100 mm
Text in black ink. The beginning of prayer and the name of the owner are in red ink.
Some illustrations.
Provenance
Walata Mareyam
Scope and Content
miscarriage.
Manuscript number: 55
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot bā᾽enetā ma'esāromu
lā'aganenet
Uniform title: Magical prayers
Title (English): Prayer for the binding of demons.
18th.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with two strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1815 mm x 108 mm
Text in black ink, the beginning of each prayer and the name of the owner are in red ink.
Provenance
Scope and Content
eplipsy, which confuse the mind. The scroll also has a magical prayer attributed to King Solomon.
Manuscript number: 56
Title (Romanized): Ṣālot ba᾽enta Mā'esarā bāreyā
walégéwon
Uniform title: Magical prayers
Title (English): Prayer for the Binding of Bareya and
Legion.
Early 19th. C.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with four strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Size: 1930 mm x 105 mm
Text in black ink, the beginning of each prayer is in red ink.
Some illustrations
Provenance
name).
Scope and Content
from epilepsy and miscarriage. Also includes well-known magical prayer to protect children from various
diseases.
Manuscript number: 57
Title (Romanized): Ṣalot ba᾽eneta Ayena telā
Uniform title: Magical prayers
Title
(English):Prayers against Evil Eye.
19th c.
Author: unknown
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, scroll
Layout: one column on a scroll composed with three strips of vellum in magic scroll format.
Text is in black, special names in red ink.
Size: 1725 mm x 100 mm
Some illustrations.
Provenance
Scope and Content
contains part of the first chapter of the Gospel of John
Manuscript number: 58
Title (Romanized): Ṣalot s'elat wā'astabequ'ot
Uniform title: Collection of Prayers
Title (English): Prayers, Petitions, and Supplications.
19th c.
Author: Collection of Prayers atributed to St. Basil, who collected them from the patristic writings.
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: Two columns per page, seventeen lines of text per page.
Vellum, 338 pages
Size: 180 mm x 170 mm x 75 mm
Binding is wooden boards with no leather cover; string binding.
The manuscript is composed of one quire of four leaves each, two quires of eight leaves each, one quire of twelve leaves,
fourteen
quires of ten leaves each.
The text is in black ink. The beginning of each prayer and the name of the owner is in red ink.
No illustrations.
Provenance
"Kefla Mareyam" (passim, p. 336)
Scope and Content
fathers.
Manuscript number: 59
Title (Romanized): MaṢehafa Ziq, Malek’ā Śellāsé
Uniform title: Church Hymns
Title (English): Book of Ziq, Image of the Trinity.
20th.
Author: Various Ethiopian church scholars
Scribe: Unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: One column of text, fifteen or sixteen lines of text per page
Vellum, 176 pages
Size: 130 mm x 100 mm x 36 mm
Binding: wooden boards, in loose sewn cloth cover, in leather case with strap.
Text is in black ink, with the names of people and the divine in red ink. With musical notation.
The manuscript is composed of two quires of eight pages, eight quires of ten pages.
No illustrations.
Provenance
Waleda Mareyam (p. 158)
Manuscript number: 60
Title (Romanized): Ṣoma Degwā
Uniform title: Deguwa
Title (English): Hymns for Lent.
19th.
Author: St. Yared the Musician
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description:
Vellum, 232 pages
Layout: Two columns per page, twenty lines of text per page
Binding: Wooden boards with leather case
Size: 180mm x 137mm x 47mm
The manuscript is composed of two quires of four leaves , one quire of eight leaves , two quires of twelve leaves and eight
quires
of ten leaves each.
The text is in black ink. The name of each section of the song is in red ink
Biography
Musician.
Scope and Content
these hymns, divided the Lenten season into eight weeks. Almost all of the hymns are about the teaching and miracles of Jesus.
The hymns discuss the teaching of Jesus in the Synagogue, his cleaning of the temple, his miracle of healing paralysis, his
parable of the faithful servant, the discussion with Nicodimus, his teaching about his second coming, his glorious entrance
into
Jerusalem, his last days at Jerusalem, and his crucifixion.
Manuscript number: 61
Title (Romanized): Malek’ā Mareyam, Malek’ā Mādehane Alām,
Malek’ā Mika᾽él, Malek’ā Gāberél, Malek’ā
Giyorgis
Uniform title: Praise for Saints (Mālek'e)
Title (English): Image of Mary, Image of the Savior of the World,
Image of St. Michael, Image of St.Gabriel, Image of St. George.
20 c.
Author: Mālek’ā Mareyam is attributed to King Na'od of Ethiopia, who lived in the
1500s
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Layout: two columns per page, twelve lines of text per page
Vellum, 134 pages
Binding: wooden boards with red stamped leather cover; inside leather case with strap
Size: 128 mm x 95 mm x 32 mm
The manuscript is composed of eight quires of eight leaves each. One quire has four blank leaves.
The text is in black ink. The beginning of each 'malk' and 'salamta' and the name of the saints are in red ink.
Decorative border, but no illustrations.
Manuscript number: 62
Title (Romanized): Māsehafā Ziq
Uniform title: Church Hymns
Title (English): The Book of Ziq.
19th. C.
Author: Various Ethiopian church authors
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia (probably Gondar)
Physical Description: Layout: One column per page, fifteen lines of text per page
Vellum, 284 pages
Binding is wooden board.
Size: 143mm x 105mm x 75
The manuscript is composed of seventeen quires of eight leaves.
The text is in black ink. The name of each greeting ('sālamta') and saints' names are in red ink.
Musical notations throughout, above each line of the hymn.
Illustrations: none
Biography
sung following the 'malek' image assigned to be sung that day. Based on this interpretation, some scholars say that "Ziq"
means "below," in Amharic "'zeq belo." Dillmann suggested that "ziq" derived from "zarziq," which means "condensed or
collected works," see Kay Kaufman Shelemay and Peter Jeffery.
Scope and Content
Following each malek assigned for that day, the ziq hymns will follow. Most of the ziq hymns come from other liturgical books,
saints' lives, or the bible.
Manuscript number: 63
Title (Romanized): Dawit Ṣalota Nabiyāt,Weddasé Māryām, AnqaṢa
Berhān,Malek’ā Gāber᾽él
Uniform title: Psalter
Title (English): Psalter and
Canticles of New and Old Testaments Praise of Mary, The Gate of the Light; Image of Gabriel.
17th.
Author: The Ethiopian Orthdox Church attributes this text to King David and Old and New Testament
prophets.
Scribe: unknown
Origin: Ethiopia
Physical Description: Vellum, 346 Pages
Layout: one column on vellum; 19 lines of text per page. Praise of Mary and Gate of the light in two columns 19
lines of text per page.
Pages 346 (started from page 17 assuming the first missing quire is eight leaves.
Size: 140mm x 120 x 78mm
Binding: wooden boards
Text in black ink, some names and titles of the chapters are in red.
The manuscript is composed of quires of eight leaves each.
The front board is broken and sewn.
The first quire ( pp1-16) is missing.
Parts of one quire (including pp. 313 on the Praises of Mary) are inserted incorrectly in the manuscript. They appear earlier
than
they should. This misplacement probably happened in Ethiopia when the very old manuscript was rebound.
Scope and Content
Mary (attributed to St. Ephram of Syria [400s] and St. Yared of Ethiopia [600s])
Manuscript number: 64
Title (Romanized): Rā’eya Māryām, Lefāfa Ṣedqe, Ta’amra Mikā’el
Uniform title: Gadel
Title (English): The Lives of Abba Zamikā’el and Gabra Krestos, The Vision of Mary, The Bandlet of
Righteousness, The Miracle of St. Michael.
late 16th.
Author: The authorship of Lives of Abba Zamikā’el is attributed to St. Yāred the Singer. And
also the Vision of Mary is attributed to St. John the Evangelist.
Scribe: Atenātéwos, Waleda Mareyām, Aresāneyos (there is also a hand that goes
unnamed)
Origin: Maqedalā, Ethiopia. See f1v."Taken from King Theodores arsenal at Magdala after the fall of the place
14th April 1868"
Physical Description: Vellum, 206 pages, 103ff
Two columns, eighteen lines of text per page (the Miracle of St. Michael is 24 lines per page).
Size: 178mm x 160mm x 49mm
Binding is wooden boards with stamped leather back.
The majority of the manuscript (Gadela Zamikā’el and Gadela Gabera Keresetose) is composed of quires of eight
leaves each.
The text is in black ink; the name of God, angels, and saints, including the scribes and the owners, and the first line of
each
book, is in red ink.
The books of Gadela Abba Zemikael and Gadela Gabera Keresetos are written in the same hand.
Colophons:
ff. 53, is a supplement to the hagiography called Salameta (greeting) to Gabera Keresetos
ff. 101-102, is a list of the abbots who came before and after Zemikael (Aregawi) written in a second hand.
ff.78-79 Bandlet of Righteousness is written in raqiq ( small hand writing)
Images:
f.1r, is a miniature representing Abba Zamikā'el (Aragawi)
f.54 is a miniature of Gabera Keresetos surrounded by dogs and with white leprosy spots (very important early representation
of
leprosy)
f.1v is in English handwriting in ink and says " Taken from King Theodores arsenal [parts of word obscured] at Magdala after
the
fall of the place. 14th April 1868"
Biography
monastery of Dabra Damo. He is one of the Nine Saints of the fifth century who started the monastic movement in Ethiopia.
Since the foundation of Dabra Damo, which is located in the Tigray Province, Abba Zamike'el has been considered the father
of Ethiopian monastic life. The most respected monastic leaders included Abba Eyasus Mo'a and Abba Takela Haymanot, who not
only made their monastic vows at Dabra Damo, but also considered themselves as the heirs of Abba Zamike'el. The Life of Abba
Zamike'el is a very important 'gadel' (hagiography) which tries to explain how the celebrated monastic leader came to Ethiopia
and founded the famous monastery. The gadel tells the story of Abba Zamike’el, the fourth generation after Saint Anthony and
Saint Makars. Zamike’el was the son of King Isaac and Queen Edna of Rome, but he fled from his royal palace, and went to
Abba Pachomius, founder of the first communal monastery of the Christian faith, and Zamike’el went to Axum carried on the
wings of the angel. The book also narrates his struggle with the great serpent, which was considered by the local people of
Dabera Damo as a god. The snake submitted and then took Zamike’el to the top of the mountain, where Zamike’el founded the
monastery of Dabra Damo. Then King Gabara Maskal, son of King Kaleb, visited Dabra Damo. There is also the visitation of St.
Yered the musician.
St Gabera Keresetose is the patron saint of the rejected and out-cast people. The uniqueness of this manuscript, as the late
Professor Leslau and Professor Richard Pankhurst said, is the very beautiful miniature which sheds some light not only on
medieval Ethiopian painting but also the attitude of people towards the victims of leprosy disease.
Provenance
Adarā Giyoregis, inserted his name above the name of Wolda Mareyām.
Scope and Content
Portuguese were expelled). The first book in the compliation is the Life of Abba Zamikā’el (Aragawi) discusses the
life of Abba Zamikā’el. He is one of the Nine Saints of the fifth century and a leader among those saints. Abba
Zamikā’el is the founder of the Dabra Damo monastery. The second book in the compliation is the Life of Gabera
Keresetos, which describes the acetic life of Gabera Keresetos, the son of King Theodosius of Constantinople, and what
happened after he ran away on his wedding night. The other books are, in order,The Vision of Mary, The Bandlet of
Righteousness, The Miracle of St. Michael, for a total of five books.
