Mammy Water Figure

This carved wooden sculpture is described by the Sierra Leone National Museum as a Mamiwata , or Manny Water, figure. It notes the following: Mammy water is the Mende goddess of the water. She is called Mamiwata or Tingui in Mende...Belief goes that should someone dream of Mamiwata many good things will come to that person, provided he did not make the dream public. It is also believed that any young man who wished to have a visit from Mamiwata must spread a white cloth on the table, burn white candles + put alligator pepper on the table . The item has a helmet shaped base, depicting a head. This is surmounted by a snake coiled around an elongated neck and a second head. A third head with a segmented neck sits on the top.

Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Mammy Water Figure
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1970
• Associated Places: Freetown (Place purchased)
• Associated People: Santigie Sesay, Freetown (Trader)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1970.14.05

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