tcherot (Amulet)

These amulet pendants (3420/64-69), with inscribed decoration, contain folded pieces of paper with verses of protective prayers. The prayers are written by a marabot (Islamic teacher), copied from the QurÔÇÖan. Before being sealed inside their protective pendant, the amulet is blessed using incense.

Rectangular metal amulet with concave or "pinched" sides. The amulet contains layers of rectangles, diamonds, and triangles in gold, silver and copper colours. A single black oval stone is set at centre. The front is etched with geometric designs and script. Strung on a long black cord, which attaches at both upper corners of the amulet. Two large brown leather tassels hang from the cord on either side of the pendant, and are each decorated with light teal bands and checkerboard or zigzag patterns in black and white at the top.