Juju: Difference between revisions
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<blockquote>An object of any kind superstitiously venerated by West African native tribes, and used as a charm, amulet, or means of protection; a fetish. Also the supernatural or magical power attributed to such objects, or the system of observances connected therewith; also a ban or interdiction effected by means of such an object (corresponding to the Polynesian ''[[Tapu (Polynesian culture)|taboo]]'').<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary''. (1971). Oxford University Press.</ref></blockquote> |
<blockquote>An object of any kind superstitiously venerated by West African native tribes, and used as a charm, amulet, or means of protection; a fetish. Also the supernatural or magical power attributed to such objects, or the system of observances connected therewith; also a ban or interdiction effected by means of such an object (corresponding to the Polynesian ''[[Tapu (Polynesian culture)|taboo]]'').<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary''. (1971). Oxford University Press.</ref></blockquote> |
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Juju can also be used as a kind of [[Geis]] to enforce a contract. This is often the case with Nigerian prostitutes to ensure they pay their [[pimp|madam]]<ref>http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/08/201189141348631784.html People & Power |
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The Nigerian Connection</ref>. |
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The term ''juju'', and the practices associated with it, travelled to the Americas from West Africa with the influx of [[slaves]] and still survives in some areas, particularly among the various groups of [[Maroon (people)|Maroons]], who have tended to preserve their African traditions. |
The term ''juju'', and the practices associated with it, travelled to the Americas from West Africa with the influx of [[slaves]] and still survives in some areas, particularly among the various groups of [[Maroon (people)|Maroons]], who have tended to preserve their African traditions. |
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Revision as of 23:45, 10 June 2012
Juju or Ju-Ju is a word of either West African or French origin[1] used previously by Europeans to describe the traditional West African religion.[2] The term Juju refers to the use of such objects and other things to perform a form of witchcraft.[3]
An object of any kind superstitiously venerated by West African native tribes, and used as a charm, amulet, or means of protection; a fetish. Also the supernatural or magical power attributed to such objects, or the system of observances connected therewith; also a ban or interdiction effected by means of such an object (corresponding to the Polynesian taboo).[4]
Juju can also be used as a kind of Geis to enforce a contract. This is often the case with Nigerian prostitutes to ensure they pay their madam[5].
The term juju, and the practices associated with it, travelled to the Americas from West Africa with the influx of slaves and still survives in some areas, particularly among the various groups of Maroons, who have tended to preserve their African traditions.
Contrary to common belief, voodoo is not related to juju, despite the linguistic and spiritual similarities. Juju has acquired some karmic attributes in more recent times. Good juju can stem from almost any good deed: saving a kitten, or returning a lost book. Bad juju can be spread just as easily. These ideas revolve around the luck and fortune portions of juju. The use of juju to describe an object usually involves small items worn or carried; these generally contain medicines produced by witch doctors.
See also
References
- Notes
- ^ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/juju
- ^ Imperial Africa: the rise, progress and future of the British possessions in Africa, Volume 1 - Google Books
- ^ For a good referenced discussion of the main meanings and origin of the term
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary. (1971). Oxford University Press.
- ^ http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/08/201189141348631784.html People & Power The Nigerian Connection