Bori

The Bori is a populous species of spirits who reside in varrious habitats of the Hausa people in West Africa. The forest Bori is often sighted in human form but with hoofed feet. However, Bori tend to shape-shift. They can terrify people by walking around headless or slither by like a gaint python and appear occasionaly in homes as a husband or sister, play-acting for thier own amusement until the real human returns. Most people cliam that a Bori will leave a footprint in ashes like a roosters foot which is said to be a foolproof way to discover if a Bori has come to visit. It a Bori is sighted in a group of human beings he will appear slightly werid and have oddly unfocused and dreamy eyes.

The forest Bori are not malicious unless offended and with worship and sacrifice they can be placated. However a careless act such as spitting or throwing water on a hot fire and causing a spark to fly into and invisble Bori wil aggravate him. Using a Bori's name in vain cane make one the focus of his malevont attention. So terrible is the consequence that one prayer specifically implores "Allah ba su ganin nisa" (God, let thier attention be attracted far away from me).

A Bori, paradoxically wants to be wanted and when called will travel to his conjuror as quickly as the wind. The more his help is requested the more it will offer assitance but at a certain price. There are certain instances when the help of a Bori must be obtained. When building a new house or starting a business for instance, or attempting to heal certain diseases. Bori who offer help must be thanked with specific sacrifices. Each Bori as a special preferance for fowls, incense, song and colors. It is impartive to remeber which Bori likes what.

If a Bori becomes offended he can be neither placated nor escaped, its victim will be killed not by a sudden violent attack but by a slow sucking away of life. In some cases a victim who feels this wating away can be helped by a specialist with a charm or prayer to avert the specific Bori attacker.

Among the Hausa it is believed that every sickness or misfortune is caused by specific Bori, and that each individual spirit can be placated through a regularly held dance. The dances are preformed by individuals who are beleived to be frequently possesses by a Bori. The dancers are accompained by music and drums, and a specific song is used for each individual Bori who is invited to the dance. The dancer becomes a spokesperson for that specific Bori. Over a hundred and fity Bori guses are danced for at any one of theses rituals. This is a good place to sight them first hand.

Iron reples Bori so powerfully that even saying the word iron a few times will drive them off. Also it should be kept in mind that Bori is a slave to its own name. Once its name is discovered the repition of it will make a Bori salve to the namer. Incantations with insults cane be used to drive Bori away, but this is risky and praise is traditionaly more effective in handaling sensitive Bori.