Belief in mermaids in the landlocked country Zimbabwe is well established. The mermaids in Zimbabwe rivers are not friendly, and you won’t see them singing songs and combing their hair with forks. The river mermaids of Zimbabwe are known to be aggressive. Sightings of them are connected to drownings. Keep reading to learn more about these little-known creatures.
What are Zimbabwe river mermaids?
In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature. Witnesses usually find these creatures in or around bodies of water. From the waist up, it has the body of a woman. From the waist down, it has the body of a fish. People have told stories of mermaids throughout history, portraying them as both helpful and evil.
River mermaids are a smaller species. They’re fast and are quick to catch prey sitting on the water’s edge. The river mermaids in Zimbabwe have a bad reputation. They are known for the kidnapping, torture, and even drowning of those unlucky enough to be caught by them.
Sightings of river mermaids in Zimbabwe
Yes. People report spottings of mermaids often in Zimbabwe. Some notable sightings are reportedly the cause of the halt of essential work on a dam, the drowning of two young boys, and most recently, the return of a girl taken by mermaids 40 years ago.
Dam Construction Disturbances
In 2012, the essential work of a Zimbabwe dam ceased because of river mermaid sightings. Workers were too terrified to continue the work!
‘All the officers I have sent have vowed not to go back there’, Minister Nkomo said in Zimbabwe’s state-approved Herald newspaper. Minister Nkomo added that the mermaids were in other bodies of water as well.
‘We even hired whites thinking that our boys did not want to work but they also returned saying they would not return to work there again,’ he said.
The issue at Gokwe was reportedly resolved when the water ministry called upon traditional healers to perform rituals. The traditional leaders conducted a ceremony involving the slaughter of cattle and the brewing of beer to appease the water spirits.
Two Boys Drown in River
Two young boys were herding cattle in the Gokwe when they allegedly saw a mermaid beckoning them to come closer. When the boys went to investigate, the mermaid swiftly pulled them underwater.
According to adult witnesses, the mermaid initially let the boys go. Witnesses report consoling the boys on a rock as the boys’ parents arrived.
The parents then made a mistake that would prove fatal for the boys. They began crying hysterically for their sons. According to Zimbabwe’s custom, showing emotion in front of a Zimbabwe river mermaid will only make the mermaid angrier. The mermaid soon pulled the boys back underwater, and the boys were never seen again.
“Two other people that I am aware of were also killed at the same dam in similar circumstances. As a community, we have since performed some rituals to calm down the water spirits. During the ceremony we slaughtered a beast and the meat was consumed without salt,” reported Police Chief Nemangwe to a Zimbabwe news source.
Girl Returns Home After Living with Mermaids in Zimbabwe
When she was 8 years old, Rowai Chihwakwa was grabbed by mermaids. Her family never gave up hope that she would return.
In 2020, her family performed rituals for their missing daughter. After 40 years of being held in the underground spirit world with mermaids, their daughter miraculously resurfaced!
Her family, relieved to find her, refused to share her picture. They stated that she was very weak, and must spend time with spiritual healers before she can reintegrate into society.
What is the origin of River Mermaids in Zimbabwe?
River mermaids in Zimbabwe are njuzu, roughly translated as “ladies of the water.” These ladies are deeply intertwined with the religion and culture of the region. People don’t see them as mere creatures but as river spirits.
The belief in mermaids in Zimbabwe originates in the belief in water spirits. These water spirits are minions of higher deities. They are sent out by the higher deities to trick fishermen and sailors into sacrificing themselves or tithing to the deity.
This, intertwined with sightings on the water’s edge, mysterious disappearances, and drownings have solidified Zimbabweans’ beliefs. Over the years, these beliefs became deeply intertwined with Zimbabwe’s societal, historical, and spiritual identities.
As legend states, someone who has been kidnapped by a mermaid and released will become a powerful spiritual leader. These circumstances are rare.
Zimbabwe River Mermaids vs. Western Mermaids
Though they share the same name, mermaids in Zimbabwe and Western mermaids have distinct differences.
Mermaids in Zimbabwe are uniquely connected to the country’s spirituality. They are not only aquatic creatures but deities of the water.
In the European version of mermaids, they can often be seen singing to sailors. Sometimes, they are malicious, but in other stories, they are harmless and playful.
Zimbabwean mermaids will never be seen as harmless. While they can target men, they also target animals and children who get too close to the water’s edge.
Have you seen a mermaid? How does this legend compare to legends where you’re from? Let me know in the comments down below!
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