Arni represented drinking in the upper photograph43, 1914
The upper photograph43 identifies Arni as the participant drinking, beside the hooded figure waiting in ambush. The act represents the named spirit’s drinking role; it does not portray Gwari people generally as supernatural beings.
Overview
Arni, also called Sarikin Noma or Chief of the Farmers, is described as a Gwari spirit in Tremearne’s account. At the performance he walks around, calls for beer, drinks and becomes intoxicated before sneezing and departing. The collector attributes the capacity to give illness to him and describes offerings of fowls of any colour. This is a particular spirit role carrying a community label, rather than a supernatural description of Gwari people.
His song names millet beer and millet flour brought to him, then adds companions whose names the collector explains through grubbing, farming and digging. The singers continue by adding further names until he leaves the ring. This agricultural sequence gives the brief notice substance beyond its drinking gestures. Tremearne identifies him as an ancestor, but provides no biography or named human predecessor in this passage; that identification remains the collector’s characterization.
Origins & earliest records
A. J. N. Tremearne combines interviews and descriptions of bori performances with comparative interpretation. These selected notices do not consistently name individual speakers; printed attributes are distinguished from his conjectures.
Records & interpretation
Complete selected spirit notice in chapter XXIII, printed pp. 337; full chapter read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
The Ban of the Bori: Demons and Demon-Dancing in West and North Africa
XXIII. Bori—the Black Spirits, printed pp. 337; historical representation and attributed explanation.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Digitized historical ethnographic accountTremearne — Arni (Sarikin Noma)Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical ritual performance photographArni represented drinking in the upper photograph43, 1914
The upper photograph43 identifies Arni as the participant drinking, beside the hooded figure waiting in ambush. The act represents the named spirit’s drinking role; it does not portray Gwari people generally as supernatural beings.