Islamic Crescent
Middle East
The crescent moon and star, a symbol of Islamic faith found on mosques, flags, and protective amulets across the Muslim world.
Sub-Saharan Africa
12 charms from this country
Mali was the heart of the ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires, and its charm traditions carry the weight of this imperial history. The Mande-speaking Bambara, Malinke, and Soninke peoples have rich traditions of protective objects including the boli — a formless accumulative altar object built up with sacrificial blood and organic matter that concentrates supernatural protective power.
Islamic practice is dominant and Sufi brotherhoods are strong: the great mosque of Djenné, built of mud brick, is the center of a living sacred landscape where blessings are sought. Tuareg people of the northern Sahara carry distinctive silver cross amulets (teneghelt) that differ by regional origin. Cowrie shells feature in the divination and dress of many ethnic groups.
Middle East
The crescent moon and star, a symbol of Islamic faith found on mosques, flags, and protective amulets across the Muslim world.
Morocco / Algeria / Tunisia
Ancient Amazigh geometric cross amulets carried for protection and tribal identity across North Africa's indigenous people.
North / West Africa
Ancient geometric symbols woven into Berber carpets — each pattern a protective charm and map of the weaver's world.
West Africa
Ancient African currency and fertility symbol used across the continent for centuries.
West Africa / African Diaspora
The iconic West African-derived charm bag of the African diaspora, filled with herbs, stones, and intentions.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Ceremonial mask used across Africa to embody spirits, invoke divine forces, and transform the masked dancer into a sacred intermediary.
Mali
The cross-shaped Dogon mask used in Dama funeral ceremonies to guide the souls of the dead to their resting place.
Ivory Coast
The hornbill-based sacred bird figure of the Senufo people — symbol of the first living being and the power of Poro initiation.
Sub-Saharan Africa
The 'Tree of Life' of Africa — ancient, life-sustaining, and filled with the memory of generations.
West Africa
The sacred West African drum whose voice calls community together, invites healing, and speaks to the spirits.
Mali / Niger
Handcrafted silver jewelry of the Tuareg nomads — beautiful protective amulets encoding desert survival wisdom.
West Africa
Islamic-influenced West African leather amulet containing Quranic verses for divine protection.