Guidata’s Journal

Included in my journal are eight signature pages and a glassine envelope to add your amulet. My envelope is sealed. 

Sonya Clark, an artist and associate professor at University of Wisconsin, calls an amulet a beaded blessing.  I quote from her Beaded Prayer Project that began in 1999.

“The beaded prayers are palm-size beaded amulets or charms stuffed with written messages. The form of the beaded prayers is inspired by African amulet traditions.  Participants make them in a range of colors and shapes but they all have messages inside and at least one bead on the outside.

African and African Diaspora traditions of healing and protective amulets called by various names among different peoples. Bans Uri are the amulets worn on Akan hunters garment in Ghana, Minkisi are found in the Congo, patua in Brazil, and mojo in the USA.  While the major influence for this project is amulets from the African Diaspora, packets containing potent, healing, and protective contents is ubiquitous and connects to many other cultural practices i.e. Jewish mezuzah and kemiyas. Native American umbilical amulets, and European hair lockets.”

Pam with Guidata and journal

Page two