black soot

Ingredients

oily seeds, sap, manganese oxide, manganese hydroxide, locust bean gum, carob gum, Ceratonia siliqua

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The black pigment is represented by soot, a fine powder of impure carbon particles resulting from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, typically derived from oil or oily seeds (p. 6). In the Harar region of Ethiopia, the binder used is specifically locust bean gum (carob gum), which is a flour processed from the seeds of the Ceratonia siliqua tree (p. 7). Additives such as manganese oxide or hydroxide can be used to modify the hue to a dark purple (p. 6).

Evidence

"The black soot ink is obtained from oily seeds or sap; the presence of manganese oxide or hydroxide additive can turn their color to a very dark purple... According to local informants, the binder substance used for ink production is mainly locust bean gum, also known as carob gum, a flour made from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua)."

Remarks

The ink is traditionally applied using a qalam made from elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), which is prepared and cut like standard Islamic reed pens (p. 7). The inkwell is provided with a cotton ball (līqa) to control flow and prevent drying (p. 7).