goatskins

Ingredients

goatskins, water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The 15th-century hagiographic narrative provides a terminology for parchment preparation through a parable: 1. Purchase goatskins from the market. 2. Soak the skins in water. 3. Beat the soaked skins with a stick to soften them (tough and bony parts noted as resistant to moisture). 4. Hang the skins. 5. Flatten and scrub the skins. 6. Wash the skins until clean before they are ready for writing (p. 112).

Evidence

"The saint also made a parable for them based upon the goatskins needed for bookmaking (saying), ‘You brought the goatskin from the markets; after it was brought (to you), did you soak (it) in water? After it was soaked, was it beaten with a stick? After it was beaten, was it hung? Was it flattened and scrubbed? Having been scrubbed, was it washed and did it become clean?’"

Remarks

This text provides rare insights into the terminology and technical sequence of Ethiopian parchment (beranna) preparation. The term 'beranna' is derived from the Latin 'membrana' (p. 112).