In this week’s reading, there is an exploration of the history of water spirits along with modern day African culture and their beliefs in mermaids. In Caribbean culture Maman Dlo or “Mother of Water” is described as terrifying in her anaconda form, but equally bedazzling and enchanting in her human form. She also beholds the power to transform humans into water spirits, often times beautiful maidens to assist her in protecting the water. Maman Dlo’s existence is a personification of nature, her role as a guardian of nature is one that commands respect. She elicits fear in many with her serpent form, towering seven feet long and punishing men who damage and pollute the water with marriage instead of death. Through marriage I could imagine that the men must learn to respect nature and learn its way. Marriage is a way of combining two souls together, through this unity the men who have initially disrespected the environment must develop a deeper connection with it through their forceful marriage to the Mother of Water.

It’s interesting how Maman Dlo is portrayed as a figure that contains multitudes, she is fierce but kind to those who honor her. Beautiful and powerful. It is unlike the western mermaids that we have learned of so far that appears to be one dimensional in character (Christianity and their monsterification of mermaids and sirens being symbols of evil and temptation). Western mermaids inherently paint human connection to our environment to be dangerous. Maman Dlo is neither of those things, instead she serves as a protector of the waters, a reminder that it is to be respected.