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LexM
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28342 posts
Thu Aug-04-05 02:43 PM

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2. "mami wata"
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http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mami_wata.html

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.

Mami Wata is sometimes seen as a metaphor for modern African conditions -- having the knowledge of global wealth and the desire for large-scale consumption, but lacking the actual wealth or access to the world's wealth that would enable Africans to participate in that system. A number of Africanist art historians have written about Mami Wata, notably Henry Drewal, as have anthropologists like myself. She is the subject of local poetry, song, paintings, carvings and now film.

  

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the feminine divine [View all] , LexM, Thu Aug-04-05 02:32 PM
 
Subject Author Message Date ID
2 of my favorites....
Aug 04th 2005
1
This is not correct.
Aug 04th 2005
57
thanks for that...i didn't read the whole descrip
Aug 11th 2005
71
i think it depends on who you're asking...
Aug 22nd 2005
83
      What about Olu/Olodumare (Allah)?
Aug 22nd 2005
84
      RE: What about Olu/Olodumare (Allah)?
Aug 23rd 2005
85
           i think that's one of the most concise explanations
Aug 23rd 2005
86
           *curtsey*...i'm fo the people
Aug 23rd 2005
87
           How is this different from Vedic philosophy (pantheism)?
Aug 23rd 2005
89
                in my understanding
Aug 24th 2005
93
                totemism...n/m
Aug 25th 2005
95
           What if to me the Supreme Being is Man?
Aug 23rd 2005
88
                i'd say cool...rock that on out homie...
Aug 23rd 2005
91
                     I think it's Peace that we agree that YOU are a "force of nature....."
Aug 23rd 2005
92
                     *chuckle* wrd. peace
Aug 25th 2005
96
                     I like this!
Oct 04th 2005
110
      I apologize
Oct 04th 2005
111
Wow
Aug 04th 2005
58
Cosign!
Aug 10th 2005
70
more on Yemoja...
Aug 29th 2005
100
      recommended reading...
Aug 29th 2005
101
           oh yeah
Aug 30th 2005
102
oya, mother of change
Aug 04th 2005
3
RE: oya, mother of change
Aug 04th 2005
35
      i need to find my "parents"
Aug 04th 2005
48
           RE: i need to find my "parents"
Aug 04th 2005
52
changing woman/estsanatlehi
Aug 04th 2005
4
brigid
Aug 04th 2005
5
pele, hawaiian volcano goddess
Aug 04th 2005
6
kali
Aug 04th 2005
7
Keep these coming
Aug 04th 2005
47
sarasvati
Aug 04th 2005
8
I don't agree with this/them, but they have a good forum here
Aug 04th 2005
9
well, as i'm sure you know
Aug 04th 2005
10
      the "Holy Koran" or "Bible" was written by the Original Man
Aug 04th 2005
11
           that may be
Aug 04th 2005
12
                What I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with Patriarchy
Aug 04th 2005
15
                     ok
Aug 04th 2005
23
                     is there anything wrong with Matriarchy in your beleifs?
Aug 04th 2005
25
                     Matriarchy over an ENTIRE society is wrong to me
Aug 04th 2005
29
                          hmm...i beleive in matriarchy and patriarchy
Aug 04th 2005
31
                          well so is patriarchy
Aug 04th 2005
34
                          to me there needs to be a STRONG and RATIONAL Patriarchy
Aug 04th 2005
39
                               RE: to me there needs to be a STRONG and RATIONAL Patriarchy
Aug 04th 2005
42
                               yep, getting ready for your feedback
Aug 04th 2005
45
                                    No,
Aug 04th 2005
50
                                         that's what i'm saying
Aug 10th 2005
62
                               that's fine
Aug 04th 2005
44
                          Okay, so
Aug 04th 2005
54
                     There is nothing wrong w/ Matriarchy, either-n/m
Aug 04th 2005
38
Definitely, to this...
Aug 04th 2005
13
What if, in fact, Allah is a Man, or "Man himself"?
Aug 04th 2005
14
112
Aug 04th 2005
16
To me all that means is the Father and Sun are One
Aug 04th 2005
19
      are you trying to discuss it from *within* an Islamic/Quranic context
Aug 04th 2005
22
           I am not using the Muslim view of Allah
Aug 04th 2005
28
also
Aug 04th 2005
18
      I already know it's un Islamic, but muslims sure be advocating it`
Aug 04th 2005
20
           *shrug*
Aug 04th 2005
well a lot of christians
Aug 04th 2005
21
      RE: well a lot of christians
Aug 04th 2005
27
           i can get with that
Aug 04th 2005
32
                RE: i can get with that
Aug 04th 2005
49
do U B going to the Yoruba festivals up there in B'more?
Aug 04th 2005
17
i haven't heard of any
Aug 04th 2005
24
      check your inbox
Aug 04th 2005
26
      Where are you located?
Aug 04th 2005
30
      baltimore city
Aug 04th 2005
36
           RE: baltimore city
Aug 04th 2005
37
                lol...he told me to email u
Aug 04th 2005
46
                     RE: lol...he told me to email u
Aug 04th 2005
53
      RE: i haven't heard of any
Aug 05th 2005
60
a recommendation for you
Aug 04th 2005
33
sorry, wrong link
Aug 04th 2005
40
*bookmarks that too*
Aug 04th 2005
43
*bookmarks page*
Aug 04th 2005
41
      a better book than wadud's
Aug 04th 2005
51
Auset
Aug 04th 2005
55
how could i forget her....
Aug 10th 2005
64
      You should
Aug 10th 2005
68
Lilith
Aug 04th 2005
56
RE: Lilith
Aug 05th 2005
59
loverly
Aug 06th 2005
61
that's what's up
Aug 10th 2005
63
So, um
Aug 10th 2005
66
another favorite: kundalini
Aug 10th 2005
65
Yes!
Aug 10th 2005
67
Shakti
Aug 10th 2005
69
What Happen to the feminine role call?
Aug 11th 2005
72
Osumare --
Aug 11th 2005
73
RE: Osumare --
Aug 12th 2005
74
Sekemet --
Aug 13th 2005
77
RE: Osumare --
Aug 15th 2005
80
      RE: Osumare --
Aug 23rd 2005
90
           that is dope.
Aug 24th 2005
94
           Are they both related?
Aug 29th 2005
99
RE: the feminine divine
Aug 12th 2005
75
actually
Aug 15th 2005
79
      RE: actually
Aug 17th 2005
81
I'm gonna show my ignorance here
Aug 13th 2005
76
it's all good
Aug 15th 2005
78
      yeah.
Aug 17th 2005
82
i thought you would find this interesting
Aug 25th 2005
97
Creativity and the Goddess...
Aug 29th 2005
98
the erotic as power....audre lorde
Aug 30th 2005
103
another great book:
Aug 31st 2005
104
word up!!!...
Aug 31st 2005
105
i'm reading it now
Sep 16th 2005
107
yeah i know, right?
Sep 16th 2005
108
Y'all 'bout
Oct 04th 2005
112
      i'm about to buy this joint for my s.o.
Oct 04th 2005
113
           No,
Oct 04th 2005
114
                i feel you
Oct 05th 2005
116
^
Sep 15th 2005
106
just posted this in GD
Sep 16th 2005
109
Good stuff.
Oct 05th 2005
118
      kinda sorta
Oct 05th 2005
119
Zap Mama-Ancestry in Progress Tour
Oct 04th 2005
115
^^^^if she comes your way, go check her out
Oct 05th 2005
117
      Zap mama is the GROUP
Oct 05th 2005
120

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