Syriac Amulets and Spells

CIOL

Eastern Syrian amulets in form of scrolls or small booklets from the Hakkari Mountains (Turkish Kurdistan), the mountainous region northeast of Mosul (Irak) and the lake of Urmia (Iran) are popular texts of the Assyrian or Nestorian Mountain Tribes. They were an integral part of the daily life of these Syriac Christians protecting them against all sorts of demons, perils and accidents.

The edition and translation of seven of the oldest amulets with their spells and charms will reveal the legacy of ancient Mesopotamian (Jewish and Aramaic) amulet tradition and its blending with Christian features.

Promotor: Professor Andrea Schmidt
Collaborator: Professor Gaby Abousamra (University of Beirut)