Human representatives of Jaruma and other named warrior spirits in photograph53, 1914
The upper photograph53 names Jaruma, Kulita, Sarikin Garke and Dan Manzo as represented warrior spirits. This is a named group scene; the caption does not assign every individual participant to a position. Weapons and dress document representation rather than literal spirit anatomy.
Overview
Jaruma, also called Garke Baba or Great Shield, leads the fighting spirits called Yan Garke, Children of the Shield. Tremearne identifies him as a Gwari spirit. His representation waves a spear in the right hand at head level, circles the ring and jumps before repeating the spear movement and leaving. The source describes a particular supernatural warrior office, rather than treating a real community as a race of fighting monsters.
The song asks where the chief’s son has gone and explains his late appearance through pursuit of enemies. It names both a wooden-hafted spear and an iron spear and asks for horsemen whom he can lead. Another passage concerns a captured enslaved woman and facial marking, as explained by the collector; this is retained as the song’s narrated wartime context, not a universal custom or a verified dated campaign.
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 notice in chapter XXV, printed pp. 354–356; 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
Chapter XXV, printed pp. 354–356; 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.
- Digitized historical ethnographic accountTremearne — JarumaResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical ritual performance photographHuman representatives of Jaruma and other named warrior spirits in photograph53, 1914
The upper photograph53 names Jaruma, Kulita, Sarikin Garke and Dan Manzo as represented warrior spirits. This is a named group scene; the caption does not assign every individual participant to a position. Weapons and dress document representation rather than literal spirit anatomy.