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Juju or ju-ju () is a spiritual belief system incorporating objects, such as , and spells used in religious practice in West Africa by the people of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The term has been applied to traditional Western African religions, incorporating objects such as , and spells used in spiritual practices, and blood sacrifices. This is under the belief that two vessels (most commonly a monkey's head is used) that have been in close physical contact with each other have similar spiritual properties and in turn, makes the objects possible to manipulate.
In a general sense, the term "juju" can be used to refer to magical properties dealing with luck, whether good or bad.
The name is also associated with the music genre, Jùjú as well as a slang term for the energy of something or someone.
from a communication received from Mr. P. A. Talbot, District Commissioner in S. Nigeria. Talbot states that the dominant Ju-Ju of Elele, a town in the northwest of the Degema district, is a Priest-King, elected for a term of seven years. "The whole prosperity of the town, especially the fruitfulness of farm, byre, and marriage-bed, was linked with his life. Should he
fall sick, therefore, it entailed famine and grave disaster upon the inhabitants ..."
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Le Comte C. N. de Cardi documented its practice amongst the Igbo people, Ibibio people, and Yoruba people peoples of the Niger Delta in an 1899 article, and Alan Maxwell Boisragon in a book of 1897.
According to some authors, "It is neither good nor bad, but it may be used for constructive purposes as well as for nefarious deeds." It is most commonly used for treating both physical and spiritual ailments. For example, when used with positive intentions, it can be used for healing insect and animal bites as well as counteracting and neutralizing curses. Juju is sometimes used to enforce a contract or ensure compliance. In a typical scenario, the witch doctor casting the spell requires payment for this service.
When used negatively, Juju can be used to enact revenge, out of jealousy and cause misfortune in general. It can be done as simply as sending a vessel of any kind infused with negative energy to the intended person. Crimes have been committed (human trafficking being the most extreme and prominent example) while utilizing the practice. 19th century venturers, and merchants of the Niger Delta and Benin kingdom documented and published accounts of:
These practices persist to the present.
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