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Overview

Ismaila, also called Almajiri or Disciple, is a scholar spirit. His representation walks about holding out a robe for gifts and gives the collected offerings to the drummers. He then sits and reads from an imaginary book. Attendants press his arms until they fold across the breast with hands on opposite shoulders; clapping, a sneeze and departure follow. Sometimes he begins with a spear like Essiyako.

The song names a horse, a prayer-board and the defeat of armoured opponents, then contrasts city and village life and their food. The notice records sore eyes as an attributed effect and ordinary sweet or nut offerings. Although Ismaila also appears as a name in the separate Magajin Yaura notice, this account gives a specific Disciple title and scholar performance. The shared personal name alone does not settle whether the two notices are identical.

Imaginary-book readingGives offerings to drummersHands folded on opposite shoulders
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 XXVII, printed pp. 380–381; complete 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 XXVII, printed pp. 380–381; complete spirit notice and ritual representation.

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 — Ismaila (Almajiri)Research 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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