psychicworld:

In Voodoo, gris-gris are small cloth bags containing herbs, oils, stones, bones, hair, nails, tiny pieces of cloth soaked with perspiration and/or other personal items gathered for the protection of the owner. They are kept as talismans to ward off evil.

The origin of the word isn’t known, but some experts trace it to juju, the West African name for fetish or sacred object, or to the French word joujou, doll or play-thing. Many African fetishes were shaped like dolls, and early Europeans travelling to the African West Coast may have mistaken religious objects for dolls or toys.

The gris-gris became commonplace in New Orleans, the American Voodoo capital, where they where used for attracting good luck, stopping gossip, protecting the home, maintaining good health and numerous other things. At one time, almost everyone would carry a gris-gris for protection. A gris-gris is traditionally made at an altar with incense and a candle burning. One, three, five, seven, nine or thirteen ingredients are used. Ingredients are never an even number or more than thirteen. Stones and other objects are chosen for their occult and astrological meanings depending on the purpose for which the gris-gris is to be used. 

(via effyeahvodou)