أصباغ

Ingredients

صبغ, حبة بقل, مصران ضاني

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

In the context of performance magic (al-hazl), pigments are prepared by filling a section of a sheep's intestine (musran dani) that has been thoroughly washed. The performer fills the membrane with any desired color of liquid dye (sabgh). The membrane is then sealed with a small seed or bean-like stopper (habbat baql). Multiple colors can be prepared and hidden (e.g., in the mouth) for sequential release during a performance (p. 96).

Evidence

"فإذا أردت العمل فالتلك القنينة مقدار ما تعلم أنه كفاية ذلك الماء ... تملأ منها قطعة من أي لون شئت ، ثم تسدها بحبة بقل ، ثم تأخذ لوناً آخر وافعل مثل ذلك"

Remarks

The text details how these pigments are used to create visual effects, such as the illusion of bleeding from a knife (p. 95) or spitting different colors from the mouth. The author attributes these techniques to 'great men' and experienced performers (p. 82, 96). Arabic gum is also mentioned as a generic adhesive for preparing mechanical components of these tricks (p. 87).