Talismanic Image (Demon), Magic Scroll, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2009
An image of a demon stares out from the first panel of a magical
(prayer) scroll. The image of the demon has inherent magical
significance, but it also is meant to show attacking demons their own
visage, and thus to scare them. A useful introduction is Jacques
Mercier’s ‘Ethiopian Magic Scrolls,’ which presents a variety of
images with commentary.