My family is from Guyana: our special artifact is called black and red beads. The child is born in a family is given this bracelet as a guard or badge of leadership sign. They are expected to set a good example for their future young siblings. The black beads are added to protect the baby from the evil eye. A powerful being that leads child astray from good decisions. In my family it’s been passed generations to generation. It’s first bless and then a bell rings over it it’s then placed onto the baby hand and cannot be taken off until six months. My grandmother wore it, my mother, me and my sister and now it’s my baby brother’s turn it is important to me and my family that me wears it all the time he will lead the way.

– JC

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant