Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Sub-Saharan Africa · c. 1500 – today

Sahelian leather amulets (gris-gris, safi)

What it is
Folded Qur’anic or divinatory texts sewn into tight packets of dyed leather in squares, triangles, horns and cylinders, then worn in dozens on the body, on hats and on horses.
Making yours
2–8 cm packets of goatskin tooled and stitched over card and a folded paper core. Red, black and natural tones.
See all 8, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
Amulet, stitched brown leather, West Africa (possible Nigeria), before 1966Amulet, stitched brown leather, West Africa (possible Nigeria), before 1966Nigeria · early 20th centuryLeather; associated with a mummy and wax figure, Egyptian 3rd-1st C BCLeather; associated with a mummy and wax figure, Egyptian 3rd-1st C BCEgypt · 300 BC -0 BCNecklace with amuletsNecklace with amuletsNetherlands · 0Amulettes-bouteilles-Sénégal (1)Amulettes-bouteilles-Sénégal (1)SenegalA West African witchdoctor with a hat entirely covered with amulets of leather and feathers. The leather is sewn into little pouches, each of which contains verses from the Koran and other charms.A West African witchdoctor with a hat entirely covered with amulets of leather and feathers. The leather is sewn into little pouches, each of which contains verses from the Koran and other charms.Three leather amulets on strap, to be worn around the neck, West Africa (possibly Nigeria), before 1966Three leather amulets on strap, to be worn around the neck, West Africa (possibly Nigeria), before 1966Nigeria · early 20th centuryLeather bracelet for protection and defenceLeather bracelet for protection and defenceNetherlandsLeather bracelet with grigris worn as protection against illness and misfortuneLeather bracelet with grigris worn as protection against illness and misfortuneNetherlands

More from Sub-Saharan Africa: Ethiopian magic scrolls & amulets · Ivory & bone pendant amulets · Ethnographic charms (collector field finds) · Other & unsorted Sub-Saharan Africa
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.