Gauraka represented by the second participant from the right in photograph60, 1914
In the upper photograph60, the caption identifies Gauraka, the Crown Bird, as second from the right. The seated human representation accompanies other named animal and forest spirits. It is not a bird photograph or a secure identification of a modern bird species.
Overview
Gauraka is identified by Tremearne as the crown-bird spirit and paired in the discussion with the white-breasted crow Hankaka. Both are associated in the report with illness in the bush, and their representatives squat and flap their arms in the manner described for Angulu. The account does not securely identify a modern bird species from the English common name.
Gauraka has its own repeated call rather than Hankaka’s crow sound. The short song claims to have taken only three seeds and asks not to be accused of harm; Tremearne relates that image to birds picking newly sown grain. This separates the named role through voice and agricultural imagery even though its movement resembles the other bird spirits.
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 XXVIII, printed pp. 390–391; adjoining chapter context 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
XXVIII. Spirits of the Forest, Waters and Grove, pp. 390–391; ritual 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 — Gauraka, the Crown-Bird SpiritResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical ritual performance photographGauraka represented by the second participant from the right in photograph60, 1914
In the upper photograph60, the caption identifies Gauraka, the Crown Bird, as second from the right. The seated human representation accompanies other named animal and forest spirits. It is not a bird photograph or a secure identification of a modern bird species.