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

Overview

Ma-Dambache is the boxer associated with Yerima. Tremearne first calls him Yerima’s enslaved dependent, then explains a song’s wording as voluntary placement under Yerima’s protection rather than purchase. His standing in the ring reverses their hierarchy: the song praises him as greater there than Yerima, and Yerima will not remain in the ring with him. The passage associates him with human boxers while stopping short of consistently naming him their patron.

His representation challenges imaginary rivals and acts out boxing with a specifically described position of the thumb between the first two fingers. Stiff or painful arms are attributed to his influence in the account. A separate portion of the song describes an affair with one of Yerima’s wives, who belongs to Yerima inside the house but to Ma-Dambache outside. A rock-jerboa comparison occurs in his praise; it does not describe an actual animal transformation.

Challenges imagined rivalsBoxing gesturesYerima’s protected dependent
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 spirit notice in chapter XXII, printed pp. 323–324; surrounding chapter context 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

    XXII. Bori—the Mohammedan Spirits, printed pp. 323–324; attributed narrative 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 — Ma-DambacheResearch 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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