Kola Sanni

Yakun mask representing Kola Sanni, the pneumonia demon.
Sanni yaka are demons responsible for the emergence of diseases, which must be appeased by an exorcism ritual, the Yakun. The chief and creator of the demons is called Mahakola. Each demon is assotiated with a disease and a mask that characterizes it. The main function of the Yakun is to cure diseases of supernatural origin. The ritual is performed whenever someone sick requires help and is witnessed by the community. It is executed by a shaman or adura who, after incarnating the demon of the disease to be cured, appears in a trance before the patient, to the sound of drums. Then, he dialogues with the incarnate demon, identifies the causes of the disease and, after an offering, promises to eliminate it.