Gris-gris (talisman)

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A West African Tuareg gris-gris

Gris-gris, also spelled grigri, and sometimes also "gregory" or "gerregery",[1] is a Voodoo amulet originating in Africa which is believed to protect the wearer from evil or brings luck,[2] and in some West African countries is used as a method of birth control. It consists of a small cloth bag, usually inscribed with verses from the Qur'an and containing a ritual number of small objects, worn on the person.

The contents of a Fula gris-gris.

Etymology

Although the exact origins of the word are unknown, some historians trace the word back to the African word juju meaning fetish.[3] An alternative theory is that the word originates with the French joujou meaning doll or play-thing.[3] It has otherwise been attributed in scholarly sources to the Mandingo word meaning "magic."[1]

History

The gris-gris originated in Dagombha in Ghana and was associated with Islamic traditions.[4] Originally the gris-gris was adorned with Islamic scripture and was used to ward off evil spirits (evil djinn) or bad luck.[4] Historians of the time noted that they were frequently worn by non-believers and believers alike, and were also found attached to buildings.[4]

The practice of using gris-gris, though originating in Africa, came to the USA with African slaves and was quickly adopted by practitioners of Voodoo.[5] However, the practice soon changed, and the gris-gris were thought to bring black magic upon their 'victim'. Slaves would often use the gris-gris against their masters and gris-gris can still be seen adorning the tombs of some slave owners.[5] During this period, there were also reports of slaves cutting, drowning or otherwise manipulating the gris-gris of others in order to cause harm.[6] Although in Haiti gris-gris are thought to be a good amulet[7] and are used as part of a widely practised religion, in the Cajun communities of Louisiana, gris-gris are thought to be a symbol of black magic and ill-fortune.[8] In spite of the negative connotations of gris-gris, so called Gris-Gris doctors have operated in the Creole communities of Louisiana for some centuries and are looked upon favourably by the community.[9] In the 1800s, gris-gris was used interchangeably in Louisiana to mean both bewitch and in reference to the traditional amulet.[10] Gris-gris are also used in Neo-Hoodoo which has its origins in Voodoo. In this context, a gris-gris is meant to represent the self.[11]

Contemporary use

According to a 1982 survey, gris-gris were one of the top three methods of contraception known to women in Senegal. All three were traditional methods ("abstinence, roots and herbs, and charms ('gris-gris')"). Over 60% of women reported having knowledge of such methods; modern means of contraception were not well known, with the pill the best-known of those, a little over 40% of women reporting knowledge of it.[12] Gris-gris are worn by a wide strata of society by everyone "from wrestlers to soldiers to housewives, and can feature anything from monkey to snake to mouse."[13]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 https://archive.org/stream/conjureinafrican00ande/conjureinafrican00ande_djvu.txt
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