KITAB Playing Cards

This undated boxed double pack of 55 cards includes two Jokers and an explanatory card. It was published by the Ethiopian Tourist Trading Enterprise (ETTE). Although a non-standard pack the indices and court card rank designations are standard French / international. The artwork is by a young commercial artist Abayneh Abebe. The Kings wear a crown with the word “Kitab” clearly visible, while the Queens wear a crown showing the word “Mudai”. The Jacks’ crowns display the word “talisman”.

The extra card explains that a Kitab is an “Ethiopian traditional abstract parchment painting believed to have the power to exorcize evil [Buda[1]]. It is painted by un-ordained but highly trained clergymen. It is mostly worn around the neck”. The Mudai is a “small hand-woven grass basket commonly used by women in the countryside to keep money, jewellery and even the Kitab safely”  more →

Above: KITAB playing cards with artwork by Abayneh Abebe, Ethiopia. 52 cards + 2 jokers + extra card, undated. The backs are certainly colourful and, I would say, Ethiopian in design!

[1] NOTE: Buda in Ethiopian and Eritrean folk religion is the power of the evil eye and the ability to change into a hyena. The power of the evil eye allows its bearer to change into a hyena, allowing him or her to attack another person while concealing his or her human identity. Belief in the evil eye, or Buda, is still widespread in Ethiopia. Hence some Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians carry an amulet or talisman, known as a Kitab, or invoke God's name, to ward off the ill effects of Buda.