Gambia Photo Album


Boy with Jujus
Bundung, 1992

This young boy (Ebrima, which is the Arabic form of "Abraham") has a necklace of charms or "jujus" to protect him. Jujus are usually made from leather sacks and contain writings from the Koran inside. Both children and adults commonly wear jujus throughout the country. There are different types of jujus, including jujus for good health, jujus for wealth, jujus to protect against curses or bad spirits, and jujus to protect one against physical harm. Many people are firm believers in the power of jujus. Jujus are one example of traditional beliefs and practices that continue to exist and have become integrated with Islam, the predominant religion in The Gambia.

submitted by Andy Lyons


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