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Overview
Sarikin Makafi is named Chief of the Blind Men. The account attributes blindness among his enemies to him and gives a distinctive representation: he taps along the ground with a stick while holding out a small calabash for offerings. Unlike several other spirits in the chapter, he does not finish this movement by jumping. Tremearne also distinguishes a special ceremonial stick from the one shown in a performance photograph.
His announcement asks who will give him eyes, while the accompanying song places darkness both behind and before him. It describes him crossing the mats of chief and poor person alike because he cannot see them. The contrast makes the performance socially specific as well as bodily distinctive: rank ordinarily governs where someone may tread, but the represented lack of sight removes that distinction. The notice names a spirit role, rather than identifying actual blind people as supernatural beings.
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 XXII, printed pp. 322–323; surrounding 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
XXII. Bori—the Mohammedan Spirits, printed pp. 322–323; 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.
- Digitized historical ethnographic accountTremearne — Sarikin MakafiResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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