![]() ![]() In comparison to the mermaid of European cultures, the mermaid isn’t so much a powerful deity than just a seductive siren that hopes to entice and seduce mortal men. A maternal deity that has a sexual power over her captives and because of this she commands great sacrifice and obedience for the reward. On all accounts there is a gender associated with the belief of mermaids. ![]() This overarching belief in water spirits developed the specific deities of cultures through the framework of societal identity, spiritual direction and historical beliefs. These male figures have been known to become “spirit husbands” for entranced women. These spirits are often referred to as minions or soldiers, often males, for the higher deities, such as Mami Wata or Mamba Muntu, where they would kidnap, trick or deceive fisherman and seafarers to sacrifice or tithe to them. Most accounts of how Mami Wata or Mamba Muntu came to be the main symbol of aquatic deities originated from a belief in “water spirits”. The history of how the mermaid developed in these cultures stemmed from a broader being in the belief of these mystical creatures. Nonetheless, they all transcend mankind’s metaphysical perceptions of reality. She goes by many names such as Mami Wata (translated to Mother Water) in West Africa to Mamba Muntu in Swahili (east). Typical accounts of her appearance in African Mythology, describes a beautiful woman with flowing black hair and an angelic gaze used to entrap or bewilder her spectator (not forgetting fin-like tail with a torso and head of a human). She shrouds herself in her mysticism, attractiveness and, above all, her vengeance. It has also been observed that certain features are similar across these variations she has the same purpose to seduce, beguile and intrigue mankind. African culture has portrayed the idea of the mermaid in many ways across the continent.
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