In some African tribes, an Obambou is referred to as a devil,[3] or as the spirit of someone who was not buried correctly.
The Commi tribe believed that when someone is severely ill, an Obambou is a likely culprit which can be determined by a doctor or "Ogounga".
[4] The Obambou will reside in the bowels of humans until family, friends and neighbors surround the possessed person and make noise however they can.
[2] Another version is that the Obambou resides in the bush and in some cases was not buried properly, but eventually it gets tired of wandering and appears to a close relative, requesting that they build a house for them near their own.
That night the village women are gathered to dance and sing, and next day the people visit the grave of the deceased and make an idol for them.