Modernity and mystery: Mami Wata in African art (Page 2)
Original Oil Paintings Gallery
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I am going to concentrate further on Mami Wata devotion as it
occurs among the people of Benin and Igbo. In the African art
of the Igbo the value lies in the process as much as the the final
product. The Igbo view life as something that is never standing
still. Even gods fall out of use and new gods often take the place
of old gods. Similarly these news gods require new forms and portrayals
in African art. The relatively new deity of Mami Wata has easily
been taken up by the Igbo people. The image of Mami Wata as a
snake charmer fits in comfortably with traditional roles that
snakes play in Igbo cosmology. Snakes are believed to be messengers
for the gods. The python is both revered and feared for its diamond-like
patterning. Similarly Mami Wata is also a deity to be feared and
revered for her capacity to do both good and evil. Mami Wata is
also linked to the rainbow deity complex of the Igbo people. The
rainbow is also referred to as the Royal Python by the Igbo. While
Mami Wata dominates the water, the Royal python controls the waters
of the sky and unites them with the waters of earth.
Mami Wata is believed to be especially useful for solving problems
of a modern kind. In Mami Wata shrines prints of Indian gods are
often found together with Christian imagery. Other objects usually
found in these shrines include red and white cloth, incense, liquor,
bells, wooden and plastic dolls, and various sacrificial remains.
Mami Wata is believed to like things that smell good, taste good
or shine and glitter. Priest and priestesses of the cult dress
in red and white and often wear cloth snakes tied around their
waists.
Benin city is the urban center of the Edo kingdom. The Oba (king)
is the person at the apex of this kingdom. The Oba is often regarded
as the counterpart on land of the deity Olukun, the ruler over
the waters. Both Mami Wata and Olokun are believed to bring wealth
and control infertility in Edo society. Both cults use mirrors
and white garments in there devotions.
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