Qur’anic Writing Board
Arts of Africa
ART OF VIRTUE
Art can express our most important values. For the youngest of students to the most senior of elders, art can provide a vision of the ideal world.
This writing board is evidence and expression of devotion and discipline, and a connection to an international community connected by Arabic, the language of the Qur'an. In Sudan, students historically used wood writing boards to practice their Arabic calligraphy and to help them memorize Qur'anic verses. The text written on the front of this board is a verse from the Qur'an, sura 97, which addresses the night of the first revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad.
The Lega figure called sakimatwemtwe, or "the man with many heads," represents the qualities of equity, wisdom, and discernment that enable its owner to see all sides of an issue and have knowledge of all things going on around him. It would have been owned by a man who belonged to Kindi, the highest level of Bwami, a hierarchical organization through which Lega initiates advance from one state of knowledge to the next.
MEDIUM
Wood, ink, string
DATES
late 19th or early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
31 7/8 x 11 x 1 in. (81 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
22.231
CREDIT LINE
Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Rectangular instructional tablet with painted designs in brown and black Arabic script. A passage from the Qur'an (chapter 97) appears on one side (see catalogue card for quotation) written in a square near the top. It is bound by a diamond-shaped pattern as well as pyramidal and flag like forms. Lower half has stylized figures and scorpions. Label on this side says, “Instructional tablet for school. Omdurman. 17". On other side script (single words) is interspersed with stylized human and animal forms as well as circular snail-like motifs. Handle has incised zigzag and circle designs. There is a cord tied around the base of the handle. Condition is good. Evidence of wear throughout, including some stains. Handle chipped and edges worn. String fragile; has been reconnected.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Qur’anic Writing Board, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, ink, string, 31 7/8 x 11 x 1 in. (81 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.231. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.231_side1_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
profile, side 1, 22.231_side1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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Do you know the translation to this?
The board features a passage from the Qur'an chapter 97, The label on this side says, “Instructional tablet for school", as you may have read on the label chapter 97 addresses the night of the first revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad. Muhammad's first revelation was the event in which Muhammad was visited by the archangel Gabriel who revealed to him a verse from the Quran.
Chapter 97 of the Qur'an reads as follows (apologies for my incorrect formatting): " In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful. We sent it down on the Night of Decree.But what will convey to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.In it descend the angels and the Spirit, by the leave of their Lord, with every command. Peace it is; until the rise of dawn."
