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Description

MIENGU

Miengu predate mami wata, and are now a part of that school of orishas that originate in Cameroon. The original miengu was named Mojili, and, losing a bet to Moto, ancestor of the humans, on who could build a longer lasting fire, was forced to flee into the water. She is now said to be the wife of either Moto, or the forest-dwelling rat ancestor. The miengu are led by one called Jengu, which is also the singular form of the word miengu. Though most stories are about female miengu, there are said to be some male miengu as well.

MAGIC: Miengu are the most powerful healers among mami wata and other water spirits. Healing wands can be made by wrapping a strand of their hair around a wooden stick. They bring good luck, can predict the future, can empower a person's confidence or sexuality and have the supernatural ability to move water around by will. If you find an orphan by the river with no name and no home, it is best to adopt them into your village as they may be a reincarnated miengu who will have retained that power to control water and are destined to save your village from a flood. Mojili's name is so powerful, it could kill someone of seven years or less just by the sound of it, so be careful not to say it out loud in front of children.

TEMPERAMENT: As orishas, miengu have a duty to act as messengers between humans and spirits, a job that they do not mind as they are very curious and enjoy interacting with humans as often as they can. They are known to giggle a lot and speak in a language that mimics the sounds of crab claws clicking. They like to sun themselves and brush their long hair while sitting on the rocks. While generally very well tempered, they can turn vicious quickly when they feel threatened or insulted.

LIKES: If you are going to make a sacrifice to a jengu, make one of food or drink as it is their favorite type of offering.

DISLIKES: Obayifo are a race of evil vampiric beings who are the sworn enemies of miengu.

**Hey All! We are past the halfway point... I hope you've been enjoying my daily MerMay around the world posts. THe illustrations and text are all first drafty WIPs that I intend on fixing up at a later date. Please feel free to add any information about these different races of merpeople in the comments. I've enjoyed sharing info with you all and hope you'll share some too!

Description

MIENGU

Miengu predate mami wata, and are now a part of that school of orishas that originate in Cameroon. The original miengu was named Mojili, and, losing a bet to Moto, ancestor of the humans, on who could build a longer lasting fire, was forced to flee into the water. She is now said to be the wife of either Moto, or the forest-dwelling rat ancestor. The miengu are led by one called Jengu, which is also the singular form of the word miengu. Though most stories are about female miengu, there are said to be some male miengu as well.

MAGIC: Miengu are the most powerful healers among mami wata and other water spirits. Healing wands can be made by wrapping a strand of their hair around a wooden stick. They bring good luck, can predict the future, can empower a person's confidence or sexuality and have the supernatural ability to move water around by will. If you find an orphan by the river with no name and no home, it is best to adopt them into your village as they may be a reincarnated miengu who will have retained that power to control water and are destined to save your village from a flood. Mojili's name is so powerful, it could kill someone of seven years or less just by the sound of it, so be careful not to say it out loud in front of children.

TEMPERAMENT: As orishas, miengu have a duty to act as messengers between humans and spirits, a job that they do not mind as they are very curious and enjoy interacting with humans as often as they can. They are known to giggle a lot and speak in a language that mimics the sounds of crab claws clicking. They like to sun themselves and brush their long hair while sitting on the rocks. While generally very well tempered, they can turn vicious quickly when they feel threatened or insulted.

LIKES: If you are going to make a sacrifice to a jengu, make one of food or drink as it is their favorite type of offering.

DISLIKES: Obayifo are a race of evil vampiric beings who are the sworn enemies of miengu.

**Hey All! We are past the halfway point... I hope you've been enjoying my daily MerMay around the world posts. THe illustrations and text are all first drafty WIPs that I intend on fixing up at a later date. Please feel free to add any information about these different races of merpeople in the comments. I've enjoyed sharing info with you all and hope you'll share some too!