Mami Wata

water-spirit · Ivory Coast · West Africa

Mami Wata is a water spirit widely venerated along the Ivory Coast, appearing as a beautiful, seductive woman, often half fish or serpent, who grants wealth, success, and children in exchange for offerings, spirit marriage, and ritual devotion. Her cult blends local lagoon and river deities with imported imagery, making her central to Ivorian coastal religion and healing.

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