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Shan States / Burmese Magical Tattoo Manuscript (Parabaik)
Shan States / Burmese Magical Tattoo Manuscript (Parabaik)
No Place: No Publisher, [early 20th century?]. Folding accordion style manuscript (Parabaik) drawn on black mulberry paper (both sides). Measures 5 inches x 14 inches. 9 folding pages (double-sided, making 18 pages) plus outer covers (on a slightly thicker and textured paper, known as saa paper). Images are drawn with a white ink and the text pages possibly with steatite. The text appears to be in the Shan and/or Pali language but possibly another regional or tribal script. Includes images of demon-deities (many holding daggers), animal and bird spirits, magic squares and more. Many of the images appear to be tattoo designs but could also have additional talismanic or protective uses. The text most likely represents supernatural formulae or instructions. Some edge and handling wear to the outer covers and corners, with possible corner repairs at some point along its journey. The internal images remain clean and bright, text pages seem a bit faded, most likely because of the steatite (as opposed to the much brighter white ink). A small hole along top edge of some of the sheets, without any affect. All in all a very good or better copy.
This manuscript was made from the inner bark of a mulberry tree. This particular style of manuscript is sometimes called a parabaik, but locally it is also known as "pap tup" and consists of rectangular sheets of paper that are glued together to make one continuous long sheet, folded backwards and forwards to create concertina-style pleats. They were often created by monks who were well versed in local magical ritual practices. These manuscripts were often passed down to the following generation when the original creator was still alive. If nobody was willing to take on the role, a manuscript was often burned during the last owner's cremation rites, or offered to a local temple where it was ritually cleansed before being placed in the temple library.