The Sunday Mail
Emmanuel Kafe
WHILE mythical creatures like mermaids (njuzu) are usually the stuff of legends, in most communities where they have been sighted, people swear about the existence of these creepy creatures.
lt is said mermaids come in different forms.
From seductive sirens and benevolent protectors of the inland waters to shy and self-contained things only seen fleetingly.
On the flipside, they are said to be vicious monsters that can best be described as evil.
In areas like Manicaland and Midlands, mermaids are considered to be far from being mere legend.
In 2012 in a strikingly stranger than fiction scenario, work that was being carried out at Gwehava Dam in Gokwe and the Osborne Dam in Manicaland had to be suspended as workers refused to report for duty.
They all claimed that they were being terrorised by mermaids that were prowling the dam sites during their work time.
The workers, who were supposed to do repairs and install water pumps, became even more frightened when some people mysteriously vanished while others reported attacks.
While the workers were adamant that they were seeing mermaids, skeptics suggested that the dam workers’ problems were being caused by a mixture of superstitions, optical illusions and dangerous water currents.
A white worker, whose services had been enlisted on the projects, also claimed that he had spotted the mythical creatures. He flatly refused to return to the sites.
Progress on the projects stalled to the extent that the then Minister of Water Resources Development and Management, Sipepa Nkomo, had to explain the predicament in the House of Assembly.
Consequently, matters were taken to another level.
Government officials summoned some chiefs and made arrangements for them to perform rituals to appease the creatures.
Without a shred of doubt, the traditional officials acknowledged the creatures’ existence.
They claimed that many lakes and water reservoirs are home to mermaids.
But huge dams seem to be the creatures’ favourite place of residence, with several sightings having been reported in Lake Kariba.
Traditionalist and president of the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association, Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, said mermaids exist.
“As a custodian of the traditional culture, I have no doubt about their existence. Disputing this is like disputing yourself.”
If these creatures are real, are they in the physical or spiritual form?
Whenever they are depicted, why are they always white?
Why are most of their supposed victims always blacks?
Whether these things are stranger than fiction, or too strange to be fiction, they have a fair share of space in creepy urban legends.
Could mermaids be mystical creatures or real life beings?
While there might not be a definite way of knowing the correct answers to these questions, you can let us know your thoughts.
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