Mammi Wata, the enchanting goddess of water in the riverine area of Nigeria.Growing up, I was fascinated by the stories of this mystical being, who embodied the essence of femininity, beauty, and prosperity,at the same time causing fear each time it is mentioned or talked about,as it is been revered.
My grandmother would whisper tales of Mami Wata,she would say it in whispers as if if said allowed it could disappear into our midst,she said how she(mammi wata) was very beautiful, we were told half of her(head to waist)is human while the other half(waist to leg) is that of a big fish,she told us stories of how she,because it was all believed this mammi wata is a female,how she would lure men to the depths of the river with her mesmerizing voice and irresistible beauty and charm.
As I delved deeper into this myth, I discovered that Mami Wata was more than just a seductress.She was a symbol of the life-giving forces of nature... water, fertility, and abundance.Her domain was the river, where she nurtured aquatic life and controlled the cycles of birth,and death.
Mami Wata's association with snakes, particularly the python, resonated with me. In Yoruba culture, snakes represent transformation and renewal. Mami Wata's ability to shed her skin, like a snake, signified her power to regenerate and revitalize.
Till today a lot of places in African,here in Nigeria worships it(mammi wata)days,weeks are being set aside just to worship it,all sorts or rites,rituals and all are done,to evoke her and as well to worship her so she could do the biddings and heart request of those who had come to honor and worship her she's (mammi wata)believed to bring abundance,wealth and all.
Her beauty is always talked about, whenever anybody is seen especially a female,who is very fair(light in complexion), spotless and beautiful we often associate her to a mammi wata,sounds funny right😁,thats what we were brought up with,so you cannot just be pretty anyhow unless you are a mammi wata.
This revered goddess also embodies the complexities of femininity.shes known to be nurturing and destructive. Mami Wata's known also for fierce protection of her domain and those she loved.
Shes believed to hold and can wield powers,to make be and all.
Anyone who marries such,because we heard she do come out of the water,change into a full human and do everything that a normal human does too,they live, they buy,they sell,they marry,gave birth and all,though it is always believed that whoever marries them gets to live a very wealthy life as long as you treat them right,because you might not know if she is a mammi wata or not especially if she is light skinned and beautiful, we believe she's probably a mammi wata😁
There are such a stories as her tear being a precious stone too....
Through legend, I learn to respect and appreciate nature and the natural world as a whole and all that it holds,and also to protect those around me.
Mami Wata's enchanting spirit,mystery, and potency still goes on.Her legacy continues.....
But the thing is, am sure there are the male ones too,would they be called pappy wata,..
Why us it just mostly about the female,I still wonder.
Thanks for taking your time to read through.