Rio Cobre ~ The Birth of a Blog.
There are many stories out there about the mystery and mysticism of the water, including sirens and mermaids. These stories vary from culture to culture, however throughout African Traditional Religions and practices, and throughout the diaspora, mermaids represent wealth, fertility and abundance. While many of these stories include mermaids residing in the seas, in Jamaica their preferred home is the river. One popular mermaid to reside in the river, is the legend of Mami Wata, who is well known in Jamaica as River Mumma, River Maiden, Pond Mother and River Mistress.
Rio Cobre is as ancient as our ancestors, and lies deep within the valleys of the St. Catherine countryside. This river has many stories of folklore, with the most famous one being about River Mumma. It is said she still resides at the Flat Bridge and the Rio Cobre, living beneath one of the oldest bridges in Jamaica. River Mumma resides in the river acting as protector of the water and the animals that live in it. The fish in her fresh waters are known to be her children, and should not be caught as suffering will be a consequence including becoming gravely ill or dead. Attempting to catch her would cause Rio Cobre to dry up and also lead to the same consequences.
This protective being has many stories surrounding her, that include her pulling cars from going overboard Flat Bridge, and her rescuing these same passengers from death itself. River Mumma is known to only show her face when the river turns lizard-green, and that on moonlit nights, you may be lucky enough to catch sight of her, as she sits on a boulder and combs her hair with a golden comb. The elders believe that for one night every year, the mermaid leaves her underwater home to visit the surface. If frightened while combing her hair, she would dive into the water leaving her comb behind, and anyone who finds it will become rich. Wanting the comb to be returned, the mermaid is known to approach the finder in a dream and direct them to treasure underwater, in exchange for her comb. This treasure, according to folklore, is said to be gold that was left by pirates who had forgotten the hiding place.
Despite her sacred divinity, River Mumma is feared by locals. She has become a legend full of mystery and magic, which perfectly reflects the island of Jamaica. In the past, people would go to the river and sing, dance myal and bring offerings of food and libation for River Mumma. Some believe the disappearance of these ancestral practices, are a reflection of environmental issues taking place on the island. Books have been written on this mermaid including “The River Mumma Wants Out” by Lorna Goodison, “The River Mumma” by Sonica Ellis, and “Dee and the River Mumma and Other Tales” by Lorna Fraser.
As a daughter of the water who has ancestral ties to Jamaica, it is my honour to name the blog of Mami Wata’s Births after one of the many homes in which she resides, Rio Cobre.
