The Baak, also known as Bak or Ghorabak in Assamese folklore, is a mysterious and often malevolent creature that appears in many tales throughout Assam. It is a shape-shifter and skin-walker, typically associated with water bodies, where it is believed to cause trouble, especially for fishermen. The Baak is notorious for its malevolent nature, and it is said to be fond of fish, often depleting stocks from local lakes and rivers.
The Baak is physically described as tall and thin, with long legs and arms. Due to its distinctive appearance, individuals who are exceptionally tall and lean are sometimes compared to the Baak in rural villages. The creature is also said to have little to no hair, further contributing to its disturbing appearance.
As for its habits, the Baak is primarily known for its destructive tendencies. It is believed to prey on fishermen, silently stealing their catch while they are focused on their work. It is also said to be capable of casting nets to catch fish, making it a skilled competitor for those dependent on the waters for their livelihood.
Some stories suggest that the Baak has the ability to murder its victims by drowning them, after which it assumes their form or possesses their bodies. This allows it to infiltrate the victim’s home and family, where it continues its malevolent actions. The Baak is also believed to be able to mimic the voices of loved ones, a trait that it uses to lure people into dangerous situations, particularly at night.
Though often seen as a malicious spirit, the Baak’s actions are not always fatal. In many stories, the Baak is mischievous, particularly when it targets children. It may temporarily possess a victim or play harmless tricks. Some variations of the folklore suggest that the Baak carries a pouch containing its powers, and whoever possesses this pouch can control the creature. However, some folklorists, such as Benudhar Rajkhowa, argue that these attributes are more closely associated with other spirits like the doit rather than the Baak itself.
Rajkhowa, in his work on Assamese demonology, classifies the Baak as a terrestrial spirit, specifically an aqueous one, meaning it is associated with water. This classification places the Baak among spirits that inhabit bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. A popular Assamese idiom ties the Baak to water, likening it to a jackal’s dominion over poultry, with the Baak being supreme in a deserted tank.
The Baak has a significant presence in Assamese folklore and is closely tied to local beliefs in black magic, spirits of rivers and trees, and various supernatural phenomena. While deeply ingrained in the culture, these stories are often not classified as legends in the traditional sense but instead are part of the broader folklore and discourse surrounding the supernatural.
In popular culture, the Baak has made its way into various forms of media. One notable example is the 2012 Assamese film Bakor Putek (The Bak’s Son), which explores the societal impact of superstitions in rural Assam, particularly focusing on the tale of the Baak assuming the form of a husband and living with his wife after killing him. The 2024 Tamil film Aranmanai 4 also draws inspiration from the Baak myth, bringing the creature’s sinister legend to a wider audience.