People have always put faith in charmed objects and the power of ritual to protect them from harm and to bring peace of mind.
This is true throughout the world.
Belief is an important aspect of healing. Its effects have been and are being used throughout the world.
In most cultures people turn to objects of faith to:
- help them obtain their desires
- protect them from misfortune, and
- heal their ills.
There is no scientific proof that charms or ritual formulas work. But they will almost always be perceived to work if there is any cultural foundation to support a belief in it.
Also, in many cultures there is no perceived distinction between magic and reality. So the use of charms, spells and amulets are an accepted part of every day life.
This display draws on these traditions by presenting the objects in the context of a street market or bazaar. And it examines our own historical and perceived beliefs.