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Seychelles Wolf Snake

Lycognathophis seychellensis

Status: Endangered due to habitat loss. And are endemic to the forests of the Republic of Seychelles.

Among the indigenous coastal peoples of Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia, and in the African diaspora of South America, there is lore of Mami Wata water spirits. Mami Wata have the upper body of a human (most often female), and the lower body of a fish or serpent, and she is often depicted accompanied by a snake, which is a symbol of divination. The snake is coiled around her body and rests its head between her breasts.

There are stories where Mami Wata entrances her devotees when they are immersed in her waters, or boating, and she draws them into her watery spirit realm. There they reside in a paradise for a time, and upon their return to the human realm, they are blessed with spiritual and material growth and wealth. Mami Wata's nature is a duality of physical power, death, destruction on the one hand, and spiritual reflection, life, and creation.

 

References:
Iroegbu, Patrick (2010). Healing Insanity: a Study of Igbo Medicine in Contemporary Nigeria. Xlibris corporation.

Bastian, Misty L. "Nwaanyi Mara Mma: Mami Wata, the More Than Beautiful Woman". Department of Anthropology, Franklin & Marshall College.