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Mami Wata is a water-spirit, sometimes described as a mermaid
figure, who can found throughout the western coastal regions and into
central Africa.
Mami Wata is described as having long dark hair, very
fair skin and compelling eyes. Although she may appear to her devotees
(in dreams and visions) as a beautiful mermaid, complete with tail, she
is also said to walk the streets of modern African cities in the guise
of a gorgeous but elusive woman.
She is interested in all things contemporary:
some of her favorite offerings include sweet, imported perfumes, sunglasses
and Coca-Cola. Nonetheless, the spirit appears to be related to other
water spirits (known in Igbo, a language of southeastern Nigeria, as
ndi mmili) who have a much longer history on the continent. Mami Wata's
colors are red and white.
Those she afflicts with visions and temptations,
and who experience her as an obsession or an illness, may wear the red
of sickness and dangerous heat. Others who have a more positive orientation
towards the spirit may show their blessings by wearing white.
Most devotees
wear a combination of red and white clothing. Mami Wata is also said
to have a number of avatars on earth--mortal women who have the same
look as the deity and who act as her "daughters." Mami Wata
may give wealth to her devotees, her "daughters" or to her
(male) spouses, but she is never known to give fertility. Some Igbo stories
suggest that the fish under the waters are her children, and that she
uses them as firewood.
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symbolism, its ritual use, its ethnos group, do not hesitate to leave
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