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Article: The Zambezi river spirit.
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- February 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
For centuries, the River Tonga people lived along the Zambezi River in south-central Africa, very isolated from the rest of the world. They believed that their river had a spirit god named Nyaminyami who watched over them.
A TRADITION DESTROYED
Not too much is known about Nyaminyami. He was said to have the body of a snake and the head of a fish. He was kind to the Tonga people. Stories tell how, in difficult times, he came near the edge of the river and let the people cut pieces of his flesh so they would not starve. The Tonga performed ceremonial dances for him to show their trust and reverence. Some wore his symbols to ...