More details emerge on Glen Norah resident who drowned in Harare during Manjuzu Ritual
Tapiwa Makunungunu, from Glen Norah C in Harare, reportedly attended a traditional mermaid ceremony at a dam located in Stone Hurst Farm on Sunday, as per a Kwayedza report. The farm is situated in the Somerby vicinity, near Snake World.
On Sunday, Tapiwa joined a group of individuals for a mermaid spirit ritual at the Somerby dam. However, during the ceremony, he tragically drowned.
Tapiwa’s friends and family conducted a traditional ceremony throughout the night where he drowned, playing drums and mbira while pleading with the marine spirits to return him. Sadly, he never resurfaced.
After conducting the traditional ceremony throughout the night, the people began to feel the weight of reality and eventually panicked. They subsequently reported the incident to the police, leading to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Sub Aqua Unit launching a rescue mission.
On March 4, 2024, Tapiwa’s body was recovered by the police.
Heart-wrenching images from the location depict his body wrapped in a blanket and officers later putting him in a metal coffin as crowds watched.
Social media users expressed harsh criticism following the death of a man during a mermaid spirit ritual.
More on Manjuzu spirit
Mermaids are marine spirits which some believe bring fortune or misfortune. The manjuzu “” trend has been popular lately, especially with slay queens and ladies of the night wishing to attract rich men in their trade.
Mermaid rituals often involve people immersing themselves in bodies of water alongside spirit mediums. They bring along offerings like sweets, wine, eggs, rice, and other snacks to appease the marine spirits.
In African Traditional Religion, it is believed that if a person is swallowed by the waters, a ceremony must be conducted in the form of song and dance at the same location in hopes of their return. Some believe that the victim returns as a mighty spirit medium.
-Afrogazette-
