Across Both Sides of the Mirror: An Introduction to Mami Wata

Mami Wata—aka Mother of Waters, aka La Sirène—is a mythological African deity whose patronage covers the African continent from coast to coast. This Water spirit is still venerated in West, Southern, and Central Africa, as well as many other countries of the African Diaspora.

She is described as a stunning and seductive dark-skinned mermaid—who is also a snake charmer. She is known to often admire her own ravishing beauty in her golden mirror.

It is said that her mirror has the capability of transporting anyone between different timelines.

She arbitrarily abducts both her devotees and random individuals when they cross her path. Sometimes, she takes them to a paradisiacal world of her making. 

Then, she determines if they can return to the land or stay underwater.

Mami Wata is revered and worshipped, as it is believed that she brings good fortune to the ones she decides worthy of her blessings. However, she can be an insidious and destructive force for the ones who do not meet her favor.

The accounts of Mami Wata’s origin vary. Regardless of the source, this spirit has become a legend in African folklore. Even skeptics acknowledge that this water deity is very much a part of the African collective’s unconsciousness.

Growing up, I remember hearing countless stories and tales about people’s encounters with Mami Wata. I vividly remember seating on the shoreline of Kribi, Cameroon and looking at the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mermaid goddess.

Regardless of my own belief system, Mami Wata has found her way into the waters of my mind. She is one of the driving force of my debut novel.

I recall sitting down, wordless and unresolved. I knew something was missing from my story. Then, she appeared in my thoughts; and I had the deep knowing she had decided to bring good fortune to my tale: Across Both Sides of the Mirror.