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  Harald February 11, 2012 at 10:35pm

  This is interesting Zar amulets from Siwa. Please, tell me why you think these zar amulets are from Siwa. They look like the same types as the Zar amulets from else were in Egypt. With Yawri Bey, Sid and Sitt, Sitt -as Safina and Sitt alone. 
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  Ann Porteus February 11, 2012 at 11:17pm

  Hello Harald, I was told by the man I purchased from in Cairo that he collected these amulets from Siwa. 

  I imagine the Zar ceremonies are similar throughout the country.
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  Harald February 12, 2012 at 9:58am

  Thank you Ann. I thought it a bit odd for them to be Siwan, but a lot of dealers from Caire like to tell you things are from Siwa makes them more mysterious. 

  I am not sure in what way  the Zar ceremoni  is the same anywere else. I know that in Cairo it is different and often held in a mosque! There is nice tesis written by a Dutch woman about it. But I think it is in Dutch, I have to look if this is true. I suppose the ceremony is different in other places, Egypt is a big country. But all these Zar amulets you see also in the south. On photo's in Africa Adorned you see even Rashaida women wear them on there face masks.

  It is a nice collection!
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  Ann Porteus February 13, 2012 at 4:27am

  Thank you for sharing, My knowledge of these pieces is scant. I did do a little research some years ago. I thought that I read that the ceremonies were similar in the various areas where they were held.

  I think that you are referring to Sigrid van Roode. She bought some of her amulets from me.. Her article is in Dutch but she does have a little information along with pictures of her collection on her web page.

  http://www.bedouinsilver.com/jewelry-from/jewelry-from-egypt/zar-am...
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  Joost Daalder February 13, 2012 at 7:52am

  Hi Ann and Harald, - I just happened upon your conversation, and it may help to know that Sigrid van Roode's English is absolutely perfect, so if you want to ask her any questions I'd not be shy!! Having spent far more of my life outside Holland than in it I prefer to write in English myself, and Sigrid cheerfully writes back in English  - very fluently and accurately. (With some people in Holland communication is easiest if they write in Dutch and I in English, whereas if I must I write in Dutch myself, although it take me longer). Sigrid is also extremely helpful and approachable: a very, very nice and knowledgeable person. Entirely deserving of friendship!
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  Joost Daalder February 13, 2012 at 7:53am

  Sigird can be approached both on this site and on Facebook. And differently, as well, but those two are the easiest channels.
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  Ann Porteus February 13, 2012 at 9:06am

  Thank you Joost,
  You are right of course. Sigrid is a delightful person and also very approachable with an expansive knowledge of her field.
  Ann
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  Harald February 13, 2012 at 10:56am

   No, Sigrid  did not write a tesis.  It is by Gerda Sengers and indeed in Dutch so this will not help you.

  But you can try Frank Bliss: Artisanat et artisanat d'art dans les oasis du déserty occidnetal Egyptien. He has in this book some Zar description. And very good is Enno Littmann: Arabische Geisterbeschwörungen aus Ägypten. And the books of Peter Schienerl but I have not been able to find them sofar. He did write though in the Ornament Vol.4 No 3 a very nice article : Egyptian Zar-Amulets.

  Hope this helps a bit.
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  Joost Daalder February 13, 2012 at 12:27pm

  Harald, I think everyone reading your contributions has reason to be grateful for the information which you disseminate! Well done, Joost
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  Harald February 13, 2012 at 12:54pm

  Thank you Joost.

  Now I still thinking about zar and amulets I forgot to mention the best book (I think):

  Rudolf Kris & Hubert Kriss-Heinrich: Volksglaub im Bereich des Islam, band 2, Amulette Zauberformeln und Beschwörungen. But again one should be able to read German.