Talismanic Writing of Northern Nigeria
Talismanic “diploma” for the completion of Koranic studies. Northern Nigeria.
Private collection.
Photo © Michele Stanzione.
NAPLES—The famed Palatine Chapel of the Castel Nuovo in the city of Naples, known to its inhabitants as the Maschio Angioino, is hosting an exhibition on the practices of talismanic writing among the Muslim communities of Northern Nigeria, particularly the Hausa.
While avoiding making too overt a distinction between the concepts of “magic” and “religion,” the show examines the great complexity of its subject matter in depth and presents examples of writing as diverse as Koranic manuscripts, allon sauka tablets used for Koranic instruction, and allon kafin gida tablets decorated with talismans and used to protect places where people live, as well as more recently produced books that contain talismanic prescriptions.
Nel Nome di Dio Onnipotente (In the Name of All-Powerful God) is accompanied by a catalog and will be on view until July 10, 2021.
Talismanic Arts – Practice of Sacred and Protective Writing Practices from Northern Nigeria
By Gigi Pezzoli and Andrea Brigaglia
Published in English and Italian by Blacktarantella, 2021
320 p.
Order the book online
ABOVE: Thaumaturgical hide. Northern Nigeria.
Private collection.
Photo © Michele Stanzione.
ABOVE: Talismanic tablet. Northern Nigeria.
Private collection.
Photo © Michele Stanzione.