Trickster-Trapper

Trickster-Trappers are followers of the Xurugwi religion who use art forms (notably music) to ward off or trap evil spirits.

Xurugwi Spirits

According to the Xurugwi faith, souls once lived in a paradise that was invaded by evil spirits, or tricksters, that trapped them in a different world, from which they are trying to find their way home. Even as people do so, these tricksters return to keep them from doing so, usually in the form of a bird, most frequently a magpie. They are said to bring bad luck to communities, such as illness, sudden death, and natural disasters. But tricksters can themselves be tricked, entranced, and even trapped by music.

Identifying Trickster-Trappers

If a member of a Xurugwi community proves to have a skill in music, then the temple leader will appoint them the title of trickster-trapper. There is no official training or requirements for being a trickster-trapper other than displaying a skill for it. Once appointed to the role, the trickster-trapper receives payment from the trickster trapper for warding off evil spirits, or at least canceling out their magic. As trickster-trappers are not common (communities can not even expect to have one every generation), they usually serve multiple communities, traveling to and fro. They are recognized by their clothes which have metallic threads woven into them, to attract tricksters and distract them from others.

Bone Flutes

by Vương Nguyễn

Upon their death, trickster-trappers receive standard funeral rites, but their bones are usually not crafted into beads, as is typical of Xurugwi bone art. As longe as there is enough for the process, crafters instead make flutes from their bones, which are passed on to future trickster-trappers. The Xurugwi believe that when a trickster-trapper uses one of these flutes, they are able to harness not only their own power, but also the power of their predecessors. These flutes will sometimes pass from one trickster-trapper to another, traveling the world as they do so. Others are kept in a local temple for use by any trickster-trappers within the community, such as Pembroke's Flute, the most famous of these artifacts.

Trapper Artforms

Though trickster-trappers are traditionally flutists, most trapper musicians play a variety of instruments and also use vocal music. Rarer, but more commonly in the present, trappers uses other forms of art instead, such as dance, paint, and sculpture.

by Molly Marjorie

Type

Religious, Special

Alternative Naming

Trickster of Tricksters

Past Holders

• Cornelia Pembroke
• Danielle Accoroso

Related Organizations

• Xurugwi