Juju Is a West African Word for a Charm
Juju is an object credited with magical power in West African belief. The word also names a music style.
Juju is a charm or object credited with supernatural power in parts of West Africa, and by extension the power itself. The word most likely came from French *joujou*, a toy, applied by European traders to the small carved objects they saw, and then taken back into West African use. It is a rare case of a European word returning as a name for a local practice. *Jùjú* is also a Nigerian popular music style, built on Yoruba percussion and guitar.
- A magical charm. *A juju.*
- Supernatural power. *Bad juju.*
- A Nigerian music style. *Juju music.*
- French — *joujou*, a toy. *A likely source.*
- West African. *The usage.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | juju | Juju. |
| Plural | jujus | Jujus. |
| Music | jùjú | Juju music. |
| Related | charm | A charm. |
| French | joujou | A toy. |
- He carried a juju for luck.Charm.
- Juju music uses talking drums.Music.
- The word may come from French.Etymology.
About juju music
- It developed in Nigeria among Yoruba musicians
- Talking drums carry the rhythm and the tonal phrasing
- Electric guitars were added from the 1950s
- King Sunny Adé brought it to international audiences
- The name is not connected to the charm in any settled way
Probably from French *joujou*, a toy, applied by traders in West Africa and adopted locally.
Where does juju come from?
Most likely from French joujou, a toy, used by European traders for carved objects and then taken into West African use.
What is juju music?
A Nigerian popular style built on Yoruba talking drums and, from the 1950s, electric guitars.