☰
Press 3 lines above to open MENU
Translate this page:
You can translate the content of this page by selecting a language in the select box.
Share this link!
Initiates to Mami Wata develop a deeper spiritual relationship with Mami for their own personal healing, growth and spiritual fulfillment.
Beware of anthropological stereotypes and over generalizations concerning the myth that the person appearing in one's dreams is always a mixed-race "mulatto" or white female, or even (rarer), an actual “mermaid”.
Once all other medical conditions have been ruled out, seeking the assistance of a Mami Wata Priestess or diviner familiar with the machinations of the Mami Wata tradition might prove advisable.
Because all of humanity descends from the African Mother, most people are born with some aspect of Mami’s vital force. However, in Africa where the priesthood of Mami was developed and thrived in many families and ethnic lineages for thousands of years, many are born with Mami as an actual guardian deity. Meaning, they undergo the full initiation ceremonies in order to carry out their divine duties to both the deity and to their ancestral lineage family whom have previously honored them.
Many Africans (including African-Americans) who descend from lineages enslaved in the New World, are particularly connected to the Mami Watas, many having brought them into the New World with their other African deities. Nonetheless, most who born with Mami Wata as a guardian deity, are initiated at the level of priestess.
Some are even born to the Mami Wata where they are called to serve the community and the world at-large, (i.e., perform healing, divinations, initiations etc.)
They are further taught how to make offerings and prayers, and how to participate in community worship and ceremonies. Generally all who are initiated to Mami Wata at the priestess level, are known as “Mammisi”, "Mamaissii," “Mamisi” (mah-mee-see) which loosely translates as “mother" or "Queen of the Waters," and whose ancient Mammisi temples were the first built in ancient Egypt.
Typically the "calling" by a Mami Wata deity appears to be universal in many respects for both men and women. One's experience can range from mild as depression, to outright displays of what would be classified as spiritual psychosis. A typical experience might involve the appearance of Mami in one's dreams. Normally, the dreams are recurring and will have little variation in theme.
These dreams will usually intensify with time. Most often, the dreams might appear so vivid, and for some, so disturbing, that it forces one to seek out a diviner to ascertain who the person or image is. Beware of anthropological stereotypes and over generalizations of the myth that the person appearing on ones dreams is always a “mulatto” or “white” female, or even (rarer) an actual “mermaid”.
Mami might appear in any exterior, form or ethnicity.
If the dreams do not motivate one to seek out a diviner, Mami usually elevates the pressure by supernaturally interfering with ones personal life. All of a sudden, the "close intimate" relationship one thought they developed with a significant other, suddenly deteriorates overnight. Or the strong sexual/passionate urges towards the opposite sex suddenly diminishes.
There might be a sudden problem with sexual dysfunction such as impotency for men or lack of desire for women. One might also experience a sudden change in their financial status i.e., loss of job, bankruptcy, diminished funds due to divorce, etc.,.
If the above still does not trigger a concerned reaction to seek out the services of a diviner, then Mami might simply "up the ante", and exacerbate all of the above simultaneously, leaving the person little choice but to seek the services of a Mamaissii priestess.
The path of Mami Wata is both ancient and the path of the Avatar, the Sage, prophetess, prophet, mystic, and the Yaya Tunde of Africa amongst others. This sacred religion is as old as Africa herself, and is considered the legitimate religion of Mama-Isis by many of its adherents. It is an ancient tradition that transcends race, class and gender. All whom Mami calls or who needs their powerful force in their lives are welcome.
From the outset, it must be emphatically stated that the name Mami Wata is plural, meaning it refers to a pantheon of ancient water deities. Mami Wata are not part of the Yoruba pantheon of Orishas (i.e., Yemoja, Oshun, etc.) nor are their initiation ceremonies or means by which they are identified the same. The priesthood of Mama Wata is overwhelmingly matriarchal, meaning that the Mami Watas are a part of the old African matriarchal, sacerdotal religious systems that once ruled and denominated Africa and many parts of the ancient world for thousands of years.
ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BORN TO MAMI TO RECEIVE THEIR POWERS
The Mami Wata deities are known by its adherents as being the owners of all forms of divination, i.e., tarot, numerology, necromancy (talking with the dead), astrology, botanmancy (reading certain herbs), cartomancy (playing cards), catoptomancy (mirror gazing), cheiromany (hand reading “palmistry”), clairaudience (hearing voices or noises), clairvoyance, crystallomancy (crystal ball gazing), dactyliomancy (pendulums), gyromancy (divination by spirit possession), hydromancy (water divining), physiogniomy (face reading), rhabdomancy (wanes, divining rods) etc., When an individual is born with these gifts, they are automatically initiated to the Mami Watas to offer protection, enhance their powers and prevent intrusions, periodic bouts of confusion and fatigue.
This very general description does not even begin to scratch the surface.
However, if you have been experiencing any of the above, this might be an indication of Mami Wata.
Additionally, it is important to note that the above symptoms could also indicate or mimic other more serious conditions of emotional, psychological or physical disorders, and it is important to visit your physician for further evaluation.
Once all other medical conditions have been ruled out, many begin seeking out the necessary assistance of a Mami Wata priestess or diviner familiar with the machinations of the Mami Wata tradition.
Resources
Mama Zogbé (Hunter-Hindrew M.Ed) Chief Hounon Amengansie
Mami Wata: Africa's Ancient God/dess Unveiled, Vol. 1 & 2
Mami Wata Healers Society of North America Inc.,Martinez, GA., 2006
Related Music
Yemaya (Cuba)
Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba. Smithsonian, Bembe Records, 1996.
https://youtu.be/ykWLjRcdOV0
Drum Rhythms for Ochun, Cuban Santeria (Lucumi)
Sacred Rhythms of Cuban Santeria. Centro de Investigation y Dessarollo. Smithsonian, 1996.
https://youtu.be/L8wmZf14SR0
Goddess of The Sea (Benin)
Angélique Kidjo. Fifa, Polygram, 1996.
https://youtu.be/bzctlhejvrQ
Olokun (USA)
Dianne Reeves. Bridges. George Duke Enterprises, 1999.
https://youtu.be/k76NYAdMIJs
Imbe Imbé
(Cuba/Rada Benin Origins)
Lazaro Ros. Cantos. Intuition Records, 1999
https://youtu.be/vYzeBigZl_I
Kuma (Mali)
Salif Keïta. Amen. Mango Records, 1991
https://youtu.be/yBGg5hlXgZk
Palo (Congo)
Chucho Valdés. Briyumba Palo Congo. Blue Note, 1999.
https://youtu.be/rba3vkk1LrQ
Akwaba (Benin)
Angélique Kidjo. Fifa, Polygram, 1996.
https://youtu.be/zNbM1YSiduU
