ABSTRACT
Sarikin Rafi, the chief spirit of the lakes and rivers, is also known as Sarikin Kogi (King of the Big River), Sarikin Bahari (King of the Big Water), Sarikin Faddamma (King of the Marsh), Ba-Daure (One of Daura), or Mai-Garin Daura (Citizen of Daura), Mai-Tumbutu (Owner of Timbuktu), Salima, Dan Gozo, and Zugu (Shuttle). His parentage is unknown, but he was created in Daura and nursed by Nana Arzikki, I was told, though I suggest his origin in Chapter XXX. He naturally inhabits the various waters, but he is also a great farmer, for the water makes the land fertile. He is the patron spirit of the rain-makers too, apparently, though he has no direct power over the rain, he can only ask Allah to send it—possibly a later idea. He wanted all the land watered by his rivers, but the other bori objected, and at last excluded him from the southern parts of Hausaland, though, as a recompense, they allowed him to have all the country to the west as far as Timbuktu. He was once head of the Yan Riga, but he was so despotic and cruel that he was deprived of his position, and a mallam (Alhaji) was appointed in his stead.
