A Bacá is shape-shifting demon in Dominican folklore that is created when someone makes a deal with the devil. The "Bacá" is also known as a "sent spirit" and can transform into any animal, but is often depicted as a large dog or bull. The "Bacá" can grant its possessor wealth and protection, but demands large sacrifices in return.
Description.
The Bacá is a demonic animal familiar commonly described as a large black dog or bull, although folklore suggests they can take the form of other domestic animals—such as cats, pigs, or chickens. They are often described with burning or reddish eyes. The Bacá is often associated with southern rural regions of the Dominican Republic, where it represents anxieties around race, gender, money, and power.
Types of pacts.
According to folklore, the pact for the formation of these creatures requires a sacrifice of at least one soul, but there are differences in the number of souls or who they are, as it can be:
Inheritance.
In some versions of the tales it is possible to inherit a bacá:
Conditions.
The bacá cannot go out while the sun is up, nor can he leave the land unless he is exorcised by a professional priest (i.e. exorcising the land during the day).