HARRIS1938-001 - ethnographic attestation
Dakarkari (Lelna; C'Lela)
Kebbi, north-western Nigeria (Sokoto Province under British administration) - West Africa
Restricted
Source term: bull-roarer
Magirro - the being whose voice the bull-roarer is; not a name for the instrument. Sarkin Zaure - the officiant who interprets Magirro's speech to the assembly (a Hausa title in use among the Dakarkari).
Among the Dakarkari of Kebbi the drumming stopped when the bull-roarer started. Its sound came from inside, and it was the voice of Magirro; the Sarkin Zaure stood among the assembled people and told them what Magirro was pleased to say. What Magirro generally said was that he had brought the rain, the guinea corn and the rice, and the birth of children. Women were rigorously excluded from all of it. The instrument is doing something more particular here than frightening anyone - it is speaking, and it needs an interpreter.
...the Voice of Magirro, is heard from the inside, whereupon the drumming stops. The Sarkin Zaure interprets to the assembly what Magirro is pleased to say, the usual remarks being that Magirro has brought rain, Guinea corn and rice, the birth of children...
Harris, JRAI 68 (1938), p. 128.
- Object
- Not described. Harris gives the instrument a section heading of its own but no material, dimensions or form in what has been read.
- Function
- The voice of Magirro, sounded from inside while the assembly drums outside. When it is heard the drumming stops, and the Sarkin Zaure interprets to the assembly what Magirro is pleased to say - usually that Magirro has brought rain, guinea corn and rice, and the birth of children. Women are rigorously excluded from all Magirro ceremonies.
- Map confidence
- medium - Regional anchor for Dakarkari country in Kebbi, north-western Nigeria; no village-level locality is given.
- Source location
Page references
JRAI 68 (1938), pp. 127-128
- Spirit voice
- Forbidden to women
- Agriculture / crop magic
- Weather magic