The next morning the calf was gone and the workers’ bodies were in its place. A white calf was slaughtered in accordance with tradition and floated on the river. The Europeans mocked the Nyami Nyami story and did not take the Tonga elders seriously, but, in desperation, when relatives of the missing workers were due to arrive to claim the bodies of their loved ones, the search party agreed in the hope that the Tonga would know where the bodies were likely to have been washed to. The elders explained Nyami Nyami had caused the disaster and in order to appease his wrath a sacrifice should be made. Some of those killed were Italian dam builders whose bodies disappeared mysteriously, and after an extensive search failed to find them, Tonga elders were asked to assist as they knew the river better than anyone. The worst floods ever known on the Zambezi washed away much of the partly built dam and the heavy equipment, killing many of the workers. In 1957, when the dam was well on its way to completion, Nyami Nyami struck. Reluctantly they allowed themselves to be resettled higher up the bank, but they believed Nyami Nyami would never allow the dam to be built and eventually, when the project failed, they would move back to their homes. The Tonga's way of life in the valley came to an end, they were told to leave their homes and move away from the valley to avoid the flood that the dam would cause. One season when Nyami Nyami's wife had gone downstream of the mighty Kariwa Gorge to other people of the Valley to answer their prayers and bless her people, the white men came to build a wall thus separating Nyami Nyami and his wife. Legend has it that Nyami Nyami and his wife stayed in the Zambezi River near Kariwa gorge, (Kariwa means trap and Kariba is a colonial corruption of Kariwa) where the present day Kariba dam wall is situated. This river spirit is affectionately known as Nyami Nyami a colonial corruption of Nyama yamaninga ninga which means pieces of meat, it is believed that during times of famine Nyami Nyami would expose his belly and the Tonga people would cut pieces of meat of his belly. The people of Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe were protected by Nyaminyami, their ancestral spirit (Mudzimu), who fed them from his own meat in times of hunger. But he is very big! It is believed that the creature is no less than three meters wide and none knows his length.
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He has a body like a snake and a head like a fish and no one knows how big he is, for he never showed himself in full display. The River God is usually portrayed as male. Nyami Nyami is believed to protect the Tonga people and give them sustenance in difficult times. The Nyami Nyami, otherwise known as the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake spirit, is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people. From our designer mobility products and rollators to luxurious fashionable walking canes, home blood pressure monitors, all the way down to our bath safety designer grab bars and personal products and aids to daily living, you will experience a store and service like no other, filled with well-designed aids for daily living that are both functional as well as aesthetically superior.ĭiscover all that ELDERLUXE has to offer you or an aging friend: Mobility Scooters, Rollators, Walkers, Velopeds, Walking Canes and Sticks, other Walking Aids, Personal Care, Vision Aids, Electronics, Great Gift Ideas, Home Accessories, Spa, Senior Fitness, Wardrobe, Caregiving and much more.African Crafts Market African arts, crafts game skins and horns website ELDERLUXE prides itself on the collection of luxury products we have assembled- all designed to complement the discerning tastes and desires of our cherished customers. We all know that aging is directly impacted by how active we remain in our later years: mentally, physically, spiritually and even sexually. Our philosophy is centered around maintaining an active and vibrant lifestyle while aging as adults. ELDERLUXE is dedicated to serving the needs and lifestyle of our customers in their search for ways to age most positively and actively.