The Bakru
In Suriname, it's said, you can buy a little helper that looks like a child: half flesh, half wood. It will bring you riches, but it always wants more.
What was reported
In Surinamese folklore, a bakru is a small creature that looks like a child with a big head, often described as half made of flesh and half of wood. It's said to be obtained from a sorcerer, and it works for its owner, bringing money and success.
But a bakru is dangerous. It demands constant attention and payment, makes mischief, and can turn on its owner or harm others. Getting rid of one is said to be very difficult.
Explanations offered
The bakru comes from the folklore of Afro-Surinamese communities and is part of a family of wealth-bringing but dangerous spirits found in many cultures. Its stories warn against greed and dealings with dark powers.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Paramaribo, Suriname
- Witnesses
- Surinamese folklore
- Status
- Folklore
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.