black, red, brown, yellow, blue

Ingredients

charcoal, gum arabic, gelatine, iron rust

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Inks were traditionally prepared using a charcoal base mixed with gum arabic as a binder (p. 296). For specific properties, additives were incorporated: gelatine was used to increase the 'brightness' of the ink, while 'iron rust' was added to ensure the ink was indelible (p. 296). These inks were applied using a 'calamous' (a reed pen) made from the branch of a local shrub or a bird quill, typically measuring 12 to 16 centimetres in length (p. 296).

Evidence

"The most common colours of ink used were black and then red. Other colours used were brown, yellow and blue. Inks were made from charcoal and gum arabic, but sometimes other products were added to make them brighter (gelatine) or indelible (iron rust)."

Remarks

The text notes that iron-gall/iron-rust additives are highly acidic, leading to the long-term deterioration of the paper support (p. 296). It also mentions the storage of ink in locally made containers of leather or wood from the calabash tree (p. 296).