The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa

The scroll is lavishly illustrated, showing figures of dozens of uthras and mythological creatures and realms.

Synopsis of narrative

The beginning of the text is missing, and the text as it exists opens with Yawar Hibil approaching the King of Light, who baptises him in 360 yardeni, clothes him in 360 robes of light, and bestows him with the Great Mystery, seven staves, and other attributes. Hibil is dispatched to the World of Darkness, descends to confront and seal Krun, and ascends to the world of Qin, where he secretly takes the mysteries of the jewel, mirror and bitter herb from Qin when she reveals them, and captures Ruha, who is pregnant with Ur, also taking Ptahil.

He ascends further to the world of Gaf and offers prayers to the King of Light, who sends for Manda d-Hayyi to send a Letter of Kushta and phial of oil to Hibil, which are received, but Hibil and his companions remain detained by the powers of darkness, until a masiqta is performed, following which they ascend to the middle world, alarming the guards, in response to which the Great Mana dispatches Yushamin, who interrogates Hibil's identity and permits him re-entry to the World of Light. The remainder of the text is a detailed ritual commentary and instruction on the 360-fold baptism performed on Hibil after returning, which is a form of baptism traditionally used to restore ritual purity to a priest.