The Bacoo
In Guyanese folklore, a tiny being kept in a bottle can bring its owner riches, as long as it's fed bananas and milk.
What was reported
The bacoo is a figure of Guyanese folklore: a small, man-like being who lives in a bottle or jar. Its owner must feed it bananas and milk, and in return it can bring wealth and good fortune.
But a bacoo that is neglected or let out is said to cause chaos in the house, throwing stones, moving objects and making noises.
Explanations offered
The bacoo is a folklore figure, with roots in African and other traditions brought to the Caribbean. Stories of a hidden helper that brings wealth also explain how some people seemed to grow rich mysteriously.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Coastal Guyana
- Witnesses
- Guyanese tradition
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.