"Mami Wata as the Divine African Mother/God/dess has been worshiped and celebrated around the world for thousands of

years. From Egypt as ‘Isis’ . . . in Asia Minor (Ephesus) as ‘Sibyl’ (Cyeble), in Greece as Rhea, Hekate and Artemis, and

in Rome as the great Magna Mater, Pravati, amongst her other holy names.”

—Mama Zogbé, “Mami Wata: From Myth to Divine Reality”

The name Mami Wata comes from the ancient Egyptian and Ethiopian

words mama meaning “truth, wisdom” and uat-ur meaning “ocean water.”

Although commonly thought to be a single deity, Mami Wata actually

refers to a pantheon of African water deities. According to some sources, Mami Wata brought divine law to earthlings—they were responsible for putting into place the social, economic, political, and moral structures that govern human life.

Mami Wata are generally viewed as benevolent and powerful divinities

who govern natural cycles, including the Nile’s overflow, agriculture,

fishing, hunting, and so on. They’re said to assist human beings physically and spiritually, and to provide food, shelter, protection, healing,

and everything else we need to live on earth. In this respect, they share

characteristics and responsibilities with other water deities. Legends

sometimes link Mami Wata with wealth and say they bring prosperity to

humans.

According to other stories, Mami Wata capture swimmers and boaters

and shepherd them into other worlds—either the underwater realm or the

spirit plane (which may mean the same thing, given that in mythology

water often symbolizes spirituality, whereas psychology associates water with the subconscious and intuition). Those mortals who return to earth may display a greater spiritual awareness or perhaps psychic ability as a result of their experiences with Mami Wata. They may also enjoy other benefits, such as financial abundance or physical attractiveness.

Early depictions of Mami Wata often show them with the heads and

torsos of humans and the lower bodies of fish or snakes, like mermaids.

In later representations, Mami Wata morphed into a singular image of a

voluptuous, long-haired African woman with a large snake—a symbol of

wisdom and spiritual power—wrapped around her body.

As fertility goddesses, they watch over mothers and children. Some

sources also credit them with guiding seers, mystics, and healers.

Legends warn that Mami Wata aren’t always gentle and generous,

however. They can also be capricious and cantankerous. Mami Wata

sometimes capture swimmers or sailors. If a person disobeys them, they may drown the errant follower or thrust him into a world of confusion,

delirium, and disease.

Humans, animals, and plants all need water to flourish. If you seek

greater abundance and prosperity, call upon these benevolent water deities for assistance. They’re known for their generosity, and they

willingly provide bounty to those who honor them. To solicit their aid, place a birdbath in your yard or put out water for earth’s creatures to quench their thirst.

If your life seems unsettled or your path unclear, Mami Wata can help you find direction and establish order. They can also teach you to flow

with changes and adapt to cycles in life. Often this means accepting

divine law instead of trying to force your will on a situation. To connect

with Mami Wata, sit beside a stream or river and watch how the water

continues flowing patiently along its course, wearing down obstacles over

time.