Juju Quotes

“Juju is not enough to protect you. Everything you have I will turn against you. I'll turn sugar bitter for you. I'll take your very shield and crack it on your head.”
― Helen Oyeyemi, White Is for Witching

“This is not just primitive rural superstition; [juju] is practiced by all kinds of people, from illiterate herd boys to multi-dregreed university professors. If you don't understand the power of this belief, you will never truly grasp the rich albeit often incomprehensible spirituality of Africa.”
― Lawrence Anthony, The Elephant Whisperer

“Do not take juju lightly, unless you are looking for unexpected death. Juju cartwheels between these pages like dust in a sandstorm. We don’t care if you are afraid. We don’t care if you think this book will bring you good luck. We don’t care if you are an outsider. We just care that you read this warning and are thus warned. This way, you have no one to blame but yourself if you enjoy this story.”
― Nnedi Okorafor, Akata Warrior

“This is my cat, Juju," the woman says, noting my obvious confusion, maybe even my fear. "He's my good luck charm."
"Uh, yeah," I say, backing away ever so slightly. That's some collar.
I love the rhinestones. Trés chic."
"Rhinestones? Don't be silly. I buy all his accessories from a jeweler. His collar is from Catier. As they say, diamonds are a cat's best friend."
My upper lip twitches. Nobody has ever said that. And I'm pretty sure she means Cartier.
She blows the cat a kiss, and I swear, if cats could smile, this one does, his giant face twisting with love or hunger.
"He's huge," I say, watching his tail flick a bit menacingly.
"He's a rare French breed, a Chartreux. He's just, how do you say? Big-boned?" She chortles out a laugh. "I really should put him on a regime like the vétérinaire said. He weighs nine kilos. Can you believe it? I strain my back when I try to pick him up. But he truly doesn't like les haricots verts or les courgettes. He's quite the gourmand."
My head spins with confusion. I wonder, What cat would like green beans and zucchini? as I convert the math in my head. Her cat weighs around twenty pounds. And, apparently, he hates vegetables but adores his bling.”
― Samantha Verant, The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique

“Garrance winks as Juju jumps onto my lap. "It appears that Juju likes you too."
Feeling out of sorts, I stroke the cat's head, look down at him. He's weighing my thighs down, and I like the way it feels, all warm. I also love his loud purrs. He's nothing like a rat. "The big lug is kind of growing on me," I say, stroking his chin, and Garrance grins.”
― Samantha Verant, The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique

“We round the frangipani, coming face-to-face with two peacocks---one male, with magnificent iridescent plumage sparkling in royal blues, greens, and golden browns, not to mention the circular eyespots, his crown a crest of feathers resembling a helmet. The female, although beautiful, has drabber plumage and a short tail.
Garrance beams as the large birds greet her like dogs. "Meet Yin and Yang," she says, and Juju rolls onto his back. "These two are the only ones who tolerate Juju and vice versa."
"Maybe because they don't call him names," I say with a laugh, and Garrance joins me.”
― Samantha Verant, The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique

“The second I sit down at the table, Juju jumps in my lap, purrs.
Charles grimaces. "The gros con actually likes you."
"We had a rough start, but we're friends now," I say as Charles reaches out to pet Juju's head. Juju hisses and I say Good kitty in my head. "And he clearly hates you."
I whisper to Juju, "Did you just call him a gros con too? I agree.”
― Samantha Verant, The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique