Ethiopia has a long tradition of using Parchments or/ and scrolls for writing. Manuscripts containing compilations of protective talismans date to the fourteenth-century. Different documents indicate that Ethiopians were used to use this traditional writing system starting from the 3rd century AD.
Particularly many of Ethiopian Orthodox church’s (EOC’s) books were written as parchments before modern writing and printing system was established in Ethiopia. As an illustration, there are different parchments and/or vellums in many of EOC’s museums and churches. The majority of scrolls are prepared by clergymen called Dabtaras.
Merigeta Tewihibo Misganaw, parchment writer at Lalibela City told The Ethiopian Herald that parchment is the long ever traditional writing system in Ethiopia, particularly in EOC. According to him, these magical tools have played a magnificent role to keep history for the coming generation.
As to him, most parchments are written in black and red paint or ink, red usually being reserved for sacred names like that of God, Saints and the Holy Family. The inks are made from plant juices. And nearly all parchments are written in Ge’ez. Ge’ez is the country’s earliest language and is used today only in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Church.
As to him, the parchment is made from animal skins, most often of goats or sheep, that is prepared by first soaking for several days, drying and stretching, and then repeated scraping, washing, and drying the skin to produce it.
Next, “we draw the images onto the inner side of the scroll, and then write prayers and other appropriate text in black and red inks. Texts may be consists of missals, biblical story, martyrs and other religious stories,” he noted.
The former writers have prepared numerous vellums with many pages. They have prepared the seven major Ethiopian church’s lessons such as Digua, Tsome Digua, Mewasit, Me’iraf, Sinksar, Abishakir in addition to the Holy Bible and different hymnal books.
And the parchments have carved wooden covers on the front and back through which very fine holes are drilled and strung with string which goes through all the pages to make a very simple yet effective binding. Also, they will be covered by embossed leather with the sign of the cross on the front and back.
Moreover, Tewihibo said that this traditional writing system needs due attention by the government and each stakeholders. There are many clergymen that possess the talent to rewrite the old parchments and also to produce more stories on it. As it is a public resource, this is not only the church’s task but also the government is stakeholder for further expansion of vellum writing in Ethiopia, he suggested.
He further stated that they are preparing scrolls that are used on a daily basis especially for tourists. According to him, many tourists have the interest to buy small scrolls from them. And they usually prepare selected images and texts with the recipients’ baptism name for sale, he added.
He additionally vowed that scrolls, though especially their talismans are used in a variety of ways as part of folk medicine in Ethiopia. As many diseases are believed to be caused by the actions of demons and spirits, protective scrolls are believed to have the power to drive the evil entities out of the afflicted individual.
Some individuals, such as pregnant women, may wear the scroll on a string around their neck or shoulder. Others may place the scroll so that they may gaze upon the illustrations, praying until they feel better. Still, others may sleep with the scroll beneath their pillow as a safeguard against nightmares.
Melkamu Alemu, Cultural and Tourism office head at Lalibela City Administration on his part said that Vellum is an Antique ever Ethiopian Christian Manuscript. He also stated that EOC has played a pivotal role in keeping Ethiopian history is documented with this traditional, but magnificent writing system.
As to him, this writing system has paramount importance to introduce Ethiopia for the world. As it is the only Ethiopian resource, we need to keep and expand it well, he added. “There are about 20 parchment writers in Lalibela City. And we are working with them to produce more vellums,” he remarked.
According to him, low demand, high row materials need, market risk and some others are the big challenges with the writer to produce the big parchments. Subsequently, the city cultural and tourism office is working ardently to solve their problem. Currently, the Lalibela Church has provided production places with additional incentives for three of the writers to write the big parchments like the former ones, he said.
Moreover, the city is working with the Ministry of Culture in order to safeguard such resources from any of damages, he asserted. As to him, the ministry is also working significantly to return the stolen Ethiopian parchments from different countries.
On the whole, all Ethiopians have a responsibility to safeguard and keep such traditional resources for the coming generation. Subsequently, the church, writers, government and other stakeholders should work hand in hand for further country’s benefit.
The Ethiopian Herald April 25/2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
