Bedouin Silver

Here you will find some examples and their explanations of zar-amulets. These can take the form of round, square, rectangular amulets, as well as bracelets, rings and jewelry to be hung in the headveil. Because of their importance, zar amulets are often sewn tightly on to clothing or face veils. This ensured their continuous presence close to the wearer and helped to underline her identity. More pictures of zar jewelry can be found in this collection.

Silver bracelet with the demons Sitt and Sidi

This zar-bracelet is of the type worn as upper arm bracelet by the Rashayda on the Red Sea Coast. The bracelet is decorated with depictions of the female demon Sitt and the male demon Sidi. The zar is thought to originate from Sudan and to have come to Egypt in the 19th century. It is therefore not surprising to find examples of a zar-ceremony as far south as the Rashayda. Even in Nubia, very specific demons are encountered.

Silver zar amulet with elaborate depiction of the camel carrying the Mahmal

Another scene on the zar-amulets is that of the camel carrying the Mah’mal or litter that held the coverings for the Ka’aba in Mecca. These coverings were made in Egypt and carried every year in a festive procession to Mecca. The mah’mal itself was seen a s a relic with great powers, hence its depiction on zar-amulets.

Zar-amulet in the shape of a writing board

Zar amulets can also take the form of writing boards. These were used in Qur’an schools to instruct children in reading the Qur’an. As the carrier of the holy verses, they were also used in the preparation of certain rituals. Words written down on the writing board were to be washed clean with water, after which the patient would drink the water and thus litterally would take in the power of the words. This aspect of writing boards and their close connection to the Qur’an made the shape in itself a powerful form for an amulet.

Reflections of the past can be seen in the use of the Sphinx on zar amulets. The Sphinx, known as Abu el-Hol or Father of Terror, is seen holding a sword in his paws in front of his body, clearly indicated with stones. The zar ceremony in itself sometimes shows traces of a much older undercurrent. The existence of twin souls living underground, called qarin or qarina, is reminiscent of the ancient Egyptian notion of a living double called ka.