In Africa, a person wears an amulet or a talisman to obtain protection and to benefit from its magical powers.
It is believed that the world in which man lives is neither perfect, nor is it predictable and so, human intervention is necessary.
Man has worn amulets, has handled them and given them his esteem for answers to his problems.
There is an innate belief that the amulet, an inanimate object, bestowed with supernatural and mystical powers will provide the solution.
Amulets and talismans can be of many forms and made of different materials, but their underlying purpose is the same.
They will give protection to the wearer.
In Africa, both the diviner and the marabout commission different types of amulets for their clients to wear.
These may be in the form of a pendant, a ring, a waist belt or a bracelet and may be of silver, leather, metal or wood.
The African diviner commissions amulets in the form of  figures, animals, reptiles or objects.
These objects can be in metal, wood or materials occurring in nature.
The supernatural forces react together and provide the diviner with guidance.
The marabout differs from the diviner in that, his studies are based on the holy Koran.
He spends hours and days preparing magic formulae. These sacred writing are enclosed in amulets and talismans.
Time has evolved, but human beings needs have remained the same.
Man will always have the need to believe in a form of supernatural and in the magic of an amulet.