MPRINTLAMU-PATE-009

Presence of 2 sewing stations are visible, that combine the gathered quires in a link-stitch technique. The script is written in black ink, with traces of red ink in various sections in the bookblock still visible, though faded to a faint. The hand lacks decorative descriptions, and there are minimal marginal commentaries made on the text.

Physical characteristics height (cm) : 24.8 Physical characteristics width (cm) : 18 State of completion : Complete Primary Language of object : Arabic Script of object : Arabic Keywords : astrology,Falak, Formulas of enefits and protection Location of original material : PATE Location where copied : PATE Comments : Seems to be a compilation of Astrology and star scinces, how to choose the right day for marriage and many other formulas of protection and benefits.

The text is written by a professional scribe. On image 196 the title is given - Hadha kitab al-raml al-mubarak. And on image 192-195 there is a table of content writen with a blue pen on lined paper.

On image 222 a further title is given - Hadha kitab al-falak al-musama biahkam... And then, Hadha kitab madkhal al-falak and the name ʿAlī ibn Aḥmad al-Balkhī . Probably referring to the astrology book of Balkhī Kitāb al-madkhal.

Collection description The MPRINTLAMU shelf mark introduces a broad range of manuscript texts (and one printed book) from the Lamu archipelago. Each group is named after the village, town, or island where it is found. The island of Ndau, at the northern end of the Lamu archipelago, Pate and Siyu villages on Pate Island, and Matondoni, a village on Lamu Island, are included in this list.

The texts date from the late 18th century to the early 20th century and cover a wide range of subjects, including medicine and science, magic, poetry, agriculture, law, genealogy, and Sufism, among others. Some of the manuscripts are held in mosque libraries, while others are in private homes. Among the unique objects in this collection are Quranic manuscripts produced in Siyu and mawlid texts from 18th-century Pate.

These texts increase the Swahili corpus available from this early time period. TIFF files High-quality TIFF images are available for researchers upon request. Please send an e-mail to manuscript-cultures@uni-hamburg.de , include your name, institution and specify which MPRINT images you need and indicate their intended purpose.

Your request will be reviewed as quickly as possible. TIFF files High-quality TIFF images are available for researchers upon request. Please send an e-mail to manuscript-cultures@uni-hamburg.de , include your name, institution and specify which MPRINT images you need and indicate their intended purpose.

Your request will be reviewed as quickly as possible.