The Legend of Mami Wata

The Legend of Mami Wata

Long ago, in ancient Africa, lived and ruled, the goddess Mami Wata. Skin a silky ebony, her hair as long and flowing as the night. She carried a small silver mirror, with two small coral snakes encircling her waist and both wrists. Her body lithe, her moves graceful and confident. She was both agile and strong. She often took the form of a mermaid, for she loved the sea. But every now and then, whenever she chose to walk the land, she would take a more human shape. In either form, she emanated strength and beauty incarnate.

One of the many legends of Mami Wata was of how she longed for mortal lovers. She would ensnare passing sailors with her melodic voice and exquisite beauty. The siren of all sirens. Sometimes she would keep a lover for a few days and return them to dry land once she had had her way with them. Other times, if she considered the mortal unworthy, she would drown them in the sea afterwards. The drowning victim never realizing what was happening, so deeply were they entranced by her beauty. Any of the lucky survivors, would be returned with a changed attitude toward spirituality and religion. Very often making them wealthy, attractive and famous.

One such case involved a mortal man named Arkamun. He was a lowly servant of the local chief.
One day, the chief sent Arkamun out to find fresh clams for a feast. While Arkamun walked the shoreline, a beautiful woman approached him. She emanated grace and strength. The woman asked
Arkamun what he was doing and he told her how he was searching for fresh clams for his king, Negasi.

The young woman took his hand in hers, leaned in close, and whispered to him, "Why be a lowly servant, when you could be a king?"
Arkamun released her hand and stumbled back in shock and disbelief. Never had he heard such a strange and outrageous statement, let alone from someone he had just met. He stared at her with eyes wide and asked, "What do you mean?" Unsure of her answer.

The woman simply replied, "I am the goddess, Mami Wata. And I can make all your dreams come true."

At once, he knew her words to be true. He immediately fell to his knees, worshiping her. Begging her for forgiveness and mercy for not recognizing her when she first approached him. Mami Wata simply smiled, saying "Do not fear, Arkamun. For I have been watching you and know your heart."

Mami Wata then told him to rise, and taking his hand in her's once more, asked him, "I can make you a great and powerful ruler, if you do but one thing for me."

Arkamun readily responded, "Anything for you, my goddess."

"Be my lover and rule the seas with me. All I ask of you is honesty and fidelity. You will be immortal, and never want for anything. For I have watched you from afar and have loved you from the start."  

Arkamun knew her words to be true. He realized he had always felt her presence in times of need and it had comforted him. "I accept," he answered, smiling joyfully.

Mami Wata then said, "From now on your name shall be Adetokunbo, meaning 'he will wear the crown of the sea'. For I have searched long and hard for a loyal and strong mate to help me rule my kingdom."

Then embracing tightly, Mami Wata spoke these words, "From this point on, I join my life with your's. Wherever you go, I go. Whatever you face, I face with you." Adetokunbo repeated it back to her, loving her more with ever word.

They then walked hand-in-hand into the sea. The bright moon, their only witness.