A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Bebe, also called Kuruma, is represented as deaf and unable to speak. Tremearne records deafness and sometimes loss of speech as effects attributed to his displeasure, along with claims that he supplies remedies. The performance walks around making distinctive sounds and is quarrelsome. The notice names a supernatural role; it does not identify actual deaf people as spirits or establish the claimed causes of hearing loss.

Kuri, Yerima, Sarikin Rafi and other leaders withdraw when he arrives. If he sees them, he protrudes his lips and taps his right cheek with the fingers of that hand, signaling to spectators that they tell lies. Their withdrawal is explained by dislike of public ridicule. The song then asks happiness from violin and calabash players, with a regional note about the calabash replacing the drum, giving the otherwise confrontational representation a musical setting.

Deafness and muteness attributedCheek-tapping accusationOther leaders retire
01

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.

02

Records & interpretation

Complete selected notice in chapter XXV, printed pp. 364–365; full chapter read.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    The Ban of the Bori: Demons and Demon-Dancing in West and North Africa

    A. J. N. Tremearne, collector and colonial-era interpreter · 1914

    Chapter XXV, printed pp. 364–365; complete spirit notice, song and attributed relationships.

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.

  1. Digitized historical ethnographic accountTremearne — BebeResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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