Barhaza

Barhaza is Inna’s younger sister and Wanzami’s mother. Her husband is unclear. She may be married to:

• Kure the Hyena

• Mai Gizo, Owner of Matted Hair

• Mai Dawa, Owner of the Bush

Her primary affliction is paralysis. It is her signature affliction, but she is also blamed for headaches, stomachaches, numbness on one side of the body, impotence, sleepwalking, and compulsive wandering (not just restlessness; a compulsion bordering on mental illness—or maybe over the border).

IN ADDITION TO CAUSING ILLNESS, BORI SPIRITS ARE INVOKED FOR CURES. EACH IS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT VEHICLES OF HEALING. MEDICINAL AGENTS ASSOCIATED WITH BARHAZA INCLUDE MILK FROM WHITE COWS, SHEEP, AND GOATS.

ORIGIN:

Hausa

CLASSIFICATION:

Bori

MANIFESTATION:

She appears as a woman dressed in a traditional white wrapper dress with a white headwrap ornamented with cowrie shells. Thin silver bangles jingle on her wrists.

COLOUR:

White

SEE ALSO:

• Bori
• Inna
• Kure
• Mai Dawa
• Mai Gizo

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.