Amulet Cartridge

Kitāb, Ḥaraz

Amulet Cartridge

Origin: 
Manufacture Date: 
ראשית המאה ה-Early 20th Century
Materials: 
Techniques: 

Author: 
כרמלה אבדר
Photographer: 
מרים גבעון
תיאור הפריט: 

The cylindrical amulet case was common in Yemen, transcending religion, age and gender. The diversity in style is great, both, in terms of size and decorations, and in the various ways in which they were worn upon necklaces (daqah, kešaḥ, lāzim, mašḥeṭah, ṭūq, et al.).  Its magical powers are great, even if hadn’t contained a magical formula written upon parchment or slip of paper. In the Jewish Quarter of Ṣanʻā’, it was worn only by small children, brides and Muslim women, whereas in the other parts of Yemen it was worn by Jews and Muslims of all ages. The Muslim man would wear it upon his belt.