Baccoo

A Baccoo (bakru[1] in Sranan Tongo, and bakulu or bakuu in Saramaccan language) is a legendary character from the Guyanese and Surinamese folklore.[2]

Description

Description of a Baccoo varies, however many describe it as a figure consisting of a large head and a body of which half consists of wood, while the other half consists of flesh.[2][3] Some also mention missing kneecaps as a prominent feature[4] There seems to be a distinction between Baccoo's who are mercenaries to successful merchants, and those that haunt their surrounding. [4][3]

Origin

Baccoo might related to Abiku, an entity in the Yoruba culture. The Abiku is a spirit of a baby that dies before being named. In honour of these deceased small wooden statues are made and kept inside.[4] Others argue the origin to be the Akan mmoatia.[2][5] However, the concept evolved and got influenced by other cultures. Currently the folkore is shared by people from various cultural backgrounds.[2]

References
  1. PENARD, THOMAS E.; PENARD, ARTHUR P.; Penard, Thomas R. (1928). "POPULAR BELIEFS PERTAINING TO CERTAIN PLACES IN SURINAM". De West-Indische Gids. 10: 17–33. ISSN 0372-7289.
  2. Pires, Rogério Brittes W.; Strange, Stuart Earle; Mello, Marcelo Moura (2018-05-01). "The Bakru Speaks: Money-Making Demons and Racial Stereotypes in Guyana and Suriname". New West Indian Guide. 92 (1–2): 1–34. doi:10.1163/22134360-09201001. ISSN 1382-2373.
  3. "Gevonden in Delpher - De West". www.delpher.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  4. "Baccoo". Things Guyana. 2016-07-06. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  5. Wooding, Charles J. (1981). Evolving culture : a cross-cultural study of Suriname, West Africa, and the Caribbean. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America. ISBN 0-8191-1378-6. OCLC 7175511.
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