We have heard a lot about the practice of black magic in African countries, especially the practice of voodoo. But the factbook states that voodoo is used for good magic or white magic, whereas JuJu is used as black magic in African countries. Juju has derived its name from the French word joujou, which means a toy and is performed to capture supernatural powers into an object.
The objects or idols in which a juju is kept or stored can be anything ranging from a coconut shell to a bird’s wing or the head of some animal. One such idol is carved out with the hands of the monkey and is very prevalent in western Africa. Even one can find juju temples.
These objects or idols can be made only by a sorcerer or a witch doctor practicing juju. Once the idol or object is created, the witch doctor calls upon juju and summons it, which is stored in the idol or object created for the purpose.
A different way to cast than voodoo Spells
Juju is often confused with voodoo, but both have different ways of casting the rituals and the black magic spell. In due course of time, it has obtained spiritual value, which is lacking in voodoo. Juju also has the good and bad aspects of magic, and it is believed that good juju can be used for healing internally, spiritually, and physically. Where bad juju can be used to enforce jealousy and revenge and cause ill or bad luck, instead, we can say that bad juju is used to harm someone.
Once the sorcerer performs the juju ritual, then the idol or object, (which also contains some used piece of cloth or any other material of the candidate), is turned into a talisman, or an amulet, or is made into portions that are required to be consumed as medicines.
Witch doctors performing the ritual for juju are particular about what they are doing.
Good juju is also known as idem, and bad juju is known as mbiam. Witch doctors practicing either good, bad, or both kinds of juju can be male or female. Another aspect of juju is that it is carried forward to generations if performed and also worshiped. Many incidents have been recorded in Africa where the son becomes lucky because his parents used good juju in their lives.
Juju God and voodoo spells
There have been many stories associated with juju. Not only is it a spirit but also a form of god, feared by the people who come under the territory and worshipped. People even make offerings of a different kind to the juju god.
The trend to worship a juju god not only bears fruit in Africa but is also prevalent in American and European countries, where many Africans have immigrated. Although juju making is a form of witchcraft and black magic to most believers, in this educated society, we also have people who use juju for living, trading, and business. One of the most commonly known juju crafters or makers is called marabouts. Their work is to craft juju for trading and business.
