. The ban of the Bori; demons and demon-dancing in West and North Africa . next spirit in order of importance, Kuturu (Leper),Gurugu (Lame One), Dungu (Deformed One) (48) is also aHausa, but as he does not like these names he is generallycalled Ubax Dowaki (Master of the Horse) or SarikinKofa (Keeper of the Gate). It is he who stays by the gateof Jan Gari, and gives the spirits egress or not, accordingto Magiros commands. He can give medicines for variousdiseases (including his own) if invoked, the proper sacrificebeing a fowl with distorted feathers. But he is bad-tempered, and will give a hu
. The ban of the Bori; demons and demon-dancing in West and North Africa . next spirit in order of importance, Kuturu (Leper),Gurugu (Lame One), Dungu (Deformed One) (48) is also aHausa, but as he does not like these names he is generallycalled Ubax Dowaki (Master of the Horse) or SarikinKofa (Keeper of the Gate). It is he who stays by the gateof Jan Gari, and gives the spirits egress or not, accordingto Magiros commands. He can give medicines for variousdiseases (including his own) if invoked, the proper sacrificebeing a fowl with distorted feathers. But he is bad-tempered, and will give a human being a cold in the headand even leprosy at once should he laugh at him, so all,even the other spirits, keep out of his way. In the photo-graph he is in rather disgraceful company, for he is withtwo of the Babbaku. Should he appear at the dance,his mount stumbles along, making faces and noises as hemoves. He then sits down and hides his legs, and waveshis arms before his face, his hands hanging down (for thespirit has neither hands nor feet), brushing away invisible. 5—Spirit? of the ttreat Mallams. 37-—Uwal Vara, or Magatiya, the spirit which gives croup and • ■tlrejailments to children. BORI—THE MOHAMMEDAN SPIRITS 299 flies from imaginary sores. He is not popular, as hasbeen said, and though flattered, he is encouraged to goaway as soon as possible. When he appears he makes the following speech orkirari. Um, um, urn. You think me useless because I haveno fingers, nor toes. The hyena says The footprint isconfusing, is the man going this way or that way ? for ifthere is no foot the print is round. The song sung to him is : Open the door, I sing your praises,Keeper of the Gate, Son of the door, Son of Magajiya,Keeper of the Gate, I sing your praises. And then, if he takes no notice :— Master of the Horse open the gate for me,Hey, Leper, open the gate for me,Hey, Distorted One, open the gate for me. These are the great ones of the spirit community. T
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdec, booksubjectdance, booksubjectdemonology
