Gris-gris (talisman)

Gris-gris (/ˈɡriːˌɡriː/, also spelled grigri, and sometimes also "gregory" or "gerregery")[1] is a Voodoo amulet originating in West Africa which is believed to protect the wearer from evil or bring luck,[2] and in some West African countries is used as a purported method of birth control.

The Dagomba people led the Kingdom of Dagbon and several neighboring states that span present-day northern Ghana and parts of surrounding countries.

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 West Africa, came to the United States with enslaved Africans and was quickly adopted by practitioners of Voodoo.

[13] 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.