Welcome back, everyone! I'm your host, Mami Melusine, also known as Dr. Jalondra A. Davis in academic circles. In this thought-provoking episode, we're diving in again to Beyonce's connection to the fascinating realm of water spirits, and its profound connection to rivers, danger, and transformation.
Through Beyonce’s Black is King, we explore some of the complex issues around Mami Wata, including her associations with wealth, infertility, sexuality, and colorism. Let's dive in!
Art and Media Referenced:
Movie: Lion King (2019)
Music Albums: Lemonade (2016), Black is King (2020), Homecoming (2019) Beyonce
Snake Charmer lithograph:
Drewal, Henry (Summer 2008). "Mami Wata Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas". African Arts: 70–71.
Elyan Hill, “Dynamic Traditions in Kimberly Miguel Mullen’s
Yemanja, Journal: Society of Dance History Scholars Society of Dance History Scholars 2016 | Volume XXXVI
Tales From the Congo River: Catching Mami Wata" by Lesley Braun appeared in Shima, 15(2), 36-51 in 2021.
A Philosophical Appraisal of Spirituality and Witchcraft through Mami Water Belief System in Igbe Cult Traditional Religion in Aguleri Cosmology.
American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Development (AJMRD) Volume 2, Issue 2 (February- 2020), PP 01-14
The Lion King - The Gift (2019)
"Water" - Salatiel, Pharrell and Beyoncé
"Don't Jealous Me" - Tekno, Lord Afrixana, Yemi Alade and Mr Eazi
"Nile" (Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar)
Manal Shalaby - Chapter One The Middle Eastern Mermaid: Between Myth and Religion (pp. 7-20) Braham, Persephone, et al. Scaled for Success: The Internationalization of the Mermaid. Edited by Philip Hayward, Indiana University Press, 2018.
My Mermaid Research: Jalondra Davis' engaged scholar project
Virtual Assistance & Podcast Production: Hella High Magic Media
