![]() While commonly seen with a mirror in hand, Mami Wata is able to embody ritual performances and worship ceremonies for Africans through this instrument. As the Mami Wata traditions continued to re-emerge, native water deities were syncretized into it. Traders in the 20th century carried similar beliefs with them from Senegal to as far as Zambia. She may also manifest in a number of other forms, including as a man. ![]() Other times, she may try to pass as completely human, wandering busy markets or patronising bars. A large snake (symbol of divination and divinity) frequently accompanies her, wrapping itself around her and laying its head between her breasts. Mami Wata often carries expensive baubles such as combs, mirrors, and watches. ![]() The existence and spiritual importance of Mami Wata is deeply rooted in the ancient tradition and mythology of the coastal southeastern Nigerians ( Efik, Ibibio, Igbo, Bahumono and Annang people). In other tales, Mami Wata is fully human in appearance (though never human). Mami Wata is often described as a mermaid-like figure, with a woman's upper body (often nude) and the hindquarters of a fish or serpent. Original in the Minneapolis Institute of Art Sculpture of the African water deity Mami Wata. These African cultures were often matriarchal and though "Mami Wata" can refer to both male and female deities, they are most typically thought of as feminine and most often take on a female form in artistic representations. Commonly thought to be a single entity, the term has been applied to a number of African water deity traditions across various cultures. Historical evidence for such deep antiquity of the goddess's tradition has never been offered. Mami Wata is understood to be a foreign spirit by Africans, and the recognition of her and her name is also a recognition of Africans comprehending worlds other than their own. While the exact context of the etymology has been challenged, the purpose of Mami Wata's name derived from pidgin English is to both distinguish her "otherness" and connection with the African and African diaspora. Most scholarly sources suggest the name "Mami Wata" is a pidgin English derivation of "Mother Water", reflecting the goddess's title ("mother of water" or "grandmother of water") in the Agni language of Côte d'Ivoire, although this etymology has been disputed by Africanist writers in favor of various non-English etymologies, for example, the suggestion of a linguistic derivation from ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian, such as the Egyptian terms " Mami" or " Mama", meaning "truth" " Uati" or " Uat-Ur" for "ocean water". The appearance of her hair ranges from straight, curly to kinky black and combed straight back.
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