Human representatives of Mai-Lema’s companions including Zanzammo in photograph55, 1914
The caption identifies Zanzammo among the canopy group’s human representations. Mai-Lema’s named representative occupies the centre; the scene is evidence for the recorded company, not a literal body portrait of the spirit.
Overview
Zanzammo is named among the spirits placed with Geshe and Magajiya in one account of Yerima’s exchanged children. His notice and song associate him with preventing sleep and rest. Tremearne tentatively connects this with skin irritation, but that is the collector’s interpretation rather than a precise diagnosis supplied by a named contributor.
The performance gives a clear sequence. The mount moves to and fro, circles the upper part of the ring three times and stops before the drums. At the opposite end he drives unfriendly spirits away, then completes another three circuits. He finally approaches the drummers, sits, sneezes and departs. The song asks the figure called Render to stop while he expels the other bori, connecting the interruption of rest with a specifically confrontational role in the ring.
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 XXVI, printed pp. 367; 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 XXVI, printed pp. 367; 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 — ZanzammoResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical ritual performance photographHuman representatives of Mai-Lema’s companions including Zanzammo in photograph55, 1914
The caption identifies Zanzammo among the canopy group’s human representations. Mai-Lema’s named representative occupies the centre; the scene is evidence for the recorded company, not a literal body portrait of the spirit.