bucca (also bucca-boo) In Cornish folklore, a sea spirit that lives among fishermen, helping them, or plaguing them when not propitiated. The bucca may be compared to the puca of Ireland, the pwca of Wales and Puck of England, and various household and mine spirits (see Knocker; PUCA). Originally, the bucca was a Celtic sea god who declined to the status of Demon or hobgoblin (see GOBLIN). To stay in the good graces of buccas, fishermen traditionally leave a fish from their catch on the sand. They also toss a piece of bread over their left shoulder and spill a little bit of their beer on the ground.

FURTHER READING:

• Briggs, Katherine. An Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins – Brownies – Bogies and Other Supernatural Creatures. New York: Pantheon Books, 1976.

Taken from :The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits– Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – September 1, 2007