Ethiopian healing scrolls, often referred to as kitāb or ketab, are long strips of goatskin parchment that are hand-painted with saints, symbols, and prayers. They are usually made by unordained clerics in the Ethiopian Church tradition known as däbtäras. Däbtäras traditionally act as folk healers.
Ethiopian healing scrolls are also known as “magic scrolls”.
Purpose
These talismanic manuscripts are designed to offer users spiritual protection and healing. Typically written in Ge’ez, the ancient liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the texts combine Christian prayers (often invoking saints and the Trinity), mystical names of God, and incantations. The scrolls also frequently include diagrams or imagery — such as the “Net of Solomon,” symbolic stars, angels, or demon-faces — which are believed to trap or repel harmful spirits.
Symbolism of the parchment and ink
The parchment (vellum) used is traditionally made from the skin of a ritually sacrificed animal, often chosen on astrological grounds. The prayers are typically etched in black ink; however, the names of God, saints, or special titles are frequently done in red ink. The use of red ink for the names of God or key protective phrases highlights the symbolic power of color.
The vividly colored artwork on the scroll, bright yellows, blues, and reds, is not just eye-catching; it is part of the classic style of Ethiopian ecclesiastical iconography.
St. Michael, St. Mary and guardian angels are the most common saints depicted on the scrolls.
They are not “one size fits all”
Importantly, each scroll is custom-made for the person who commissions it. The scroll is often tailored to the individual’s needs (illness, spiritual protection, etc.). The scroll’s length traditionally matches the height of the person it is made for, symbolizing full-body protection.
The personalization (height of the scroll, custom prayers) shows that each scroll is more than a “one-size-fits-all” object — it is considered a spiritual tool tailored to the person’s life and spiritual state.
Healing Ritual Use
If the request is for healing, the Däbtära prepares a scroll to be utilized as part of a ritual. In the ritual, the “patient” may be “substituted” for a sacrificed animal. Upon the death of the animal, the person is symbolically purified, and the animal’s skin is used for the scroll. The animal skin represents the person’s “skin” in the ritual world. The scroll is placed on the body, or hung above a bed, and is believed to work via both written word (prayers/names) and image (symbolic talismans) to counteract spiritual afflictions.
Some scrolls are kept in tubular leather cases to be worn or carried as protective amulets.
Origin
The scrolls likely originated during the Aksumite Empire (1st – 8th century CE). By the 19th century, they were very common, but their use was controversial. The scrolls bridge religion and folk healing. While deeply Christian (Orthodox) in text, for locals, their function is more magical/talismanic. For example, Emperor Zar’a Ya‘eqob (15th century) condemned them as sorcery, yet their use endured. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church largely tolerates them because they incorporate Christian (canonical) texts.
The scrolls reflect a syncretic tradition: Christian theology + astrological symbolism + spiritual battle ideology.
Why are they more commonly associated with Lalibela?
Lalibela has historically been viewed as a center of spiritual healing. Pilgrims come seeking blessings, protection, cures, and spiritual protection from demons. Prayer scrolls fit naturally into that environment. Lalibela’s churches also maintain relatively strong traditional practices, with däbtäras there keeping the tradition alive.
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