Mami Wata, Mammy Water, or similar is a mermaid, water spirit, and/or goddess in the folklore of parts of Western Africa, Eastern Africa, and Southern Africa. Historically, scholars trace her origins to early encounters between Europeans and West Africans in the 15th century, where Mami Wata developed from depictions of European mermaids.

This exhibition explores the visual cultures and histories of Mami Wata, examining the world of water deities and their seductive powers. It demonstrates how art both reflects and actively contributes to beliefs and religious practices, globalization, and capitalism.

Feb 5, 2025 · Mami Wata, a revered figure in African mythology, embodies the spirit of water and is often depicted as a beautiful mermaid. Her significance transcends individual cultures, representing a complex intertwining of spirituality, femininity, and the mysteries of aquatic realms.

Aug 2, 2023 · A part-woman, part-fish mermaid -like water spirit that can bestow upon people either good or ill fortune, Mami Wata is fundamentally African in origin, but arose as an aggregated cultural, ethnic, and religious figure during the Transatlantic Slave Trade starting in 1502, as the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art describes.

June 25th is the feast day of a powerful water goddess in African mythology. Her name is Mami Wata or Mamba Muntu in Swahili. Mami Wata means Mother Water. She is a water deity or mermaid. She is deeply rooted in the ancient traditions …

Far from being a “cult” of women, in Ewe Mami Wata cosmology and history, Mami Wata is an ancient deity, and is known to have been the sacred deity of most of the most powerful male diviners, healers, prophets and African kings.

Feb 10, 2025 · Mami Wata is an iconic figure in African mythology, representing the profound connection between water and fertility. This goddess is revered across many African cultures as a symbol of life, prosperity, and the mysteries of the aquatic realm.

Discover the secrets of Mami Wata, the alluring water spirit of West African mythology. Explore her physical traits, family, other names, powers, and lasting influence on modern culture. Dive into the depths of this fascinating legend and uncover its enduring appeal.

Mami Wata is a prominent water spirit in African and Afro-Caribbean mythology, with origins tracing back to ancient legends among the Igbo ethnic group in West Africa.

She can exist in the form of indigenous African water spirits known as mami watas and papi watas or assume aspects of a Hindu deity or a Christian saint without sacrificing her identity. This section of the exhibition presents a broad overview of some of the movements, images, and ideas that have played major roles in the arts for Mami Wata.