Yes, Black people have been mermaids, long before Ariel ever swam onto our screens.
One of the most revered figures in African mythology is Mami Wata, a water spirit venerated across numerous African cultures and throughout the African diaspora. A mermaid by western classifications, Mami Wata often appears as a beautiful woman with the lower body of a fish, symbolizing a powerful connection between African spirituality and water. Her tales spread with the African diaspora, inspiring rich narratives of water deities in the Caribbean and South America.
Mami Wata is not merely a symbol of aquatic grace and beauty. She embodies a more profound message of duality and complexity – fertility and healing, paired with danger and the potential for destruction. The reverence of Mami Wata has always been a testament to the understanding that beauty and power can coexist, that feminine entities can be gentle and yet fierce – a concept that is all too familiar within Black womanhood.
Moving past Mami Wata, other African cultures have merfolk woven into their mythos. The Yoruba people speak of Yemoja, a mother spirit and patron deity of women, especially pregnant women, often depicted as a mermaid. The Dogon tribe in Mali tell tales of the Nommo, ancestral spirits that took the form of aquatic beings.
Why then, in light of this rich historical and cultural context, was there such a backlash when a young, talented Black actress was cast as Ariel?
Perhaps it is a lack of knowledge, a lack of exposure to narratives beyond the familiar. The controversy offers a stark reminder that our collective storytelling has often been narrowly defined, influenced by a singular perspective, and we must challenge these narratives.
By casting Halle Bailey as Ariel, Disney has not rewritten the story; they have broadened it. They’ve allowed another demographic to see themselves as the beautiful, brave, and beloved mermaid, thereby embracing a more inclusive form of storytelling.
Remember, mermaids do not belong to one single culture; they are global entities, as diverse as the people who believe in them. So, it’s about time that our screens reflect this diversity. Because Black girls have always been mermaids, from the lore of Mami Wata to the casting of Ariel. It’s high time the world recognized this, acknowledging that the waves of the ocean, much like the threads of folklore and tales, are deep, diverse, and beautifully inclusive.
Black people been mermaids, and will continue to be – on screen, in our stories, and in our rich, diverse lore that spans continents and culture – and that’s on Halle Bailey.
In response to the recent controversy surrounding the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action rendition of “The Little Mermaid,” I find it essential to dispel some misconceptions and shed light on a rich yet often overlooked heritage of African folklore that has always celebrated Black mermaids.
Yes, Black people have been mermaids, long before Ariel ever swam onto our screens.
One of the most revered figures in African mythology is Mami Wata, a water spirit venerated across numerous African cultures and throughout the African diaspora. A mermaid by western classifications, Mami Wata often appears as a beautiful woman with the lower body of a fish, symbolizing a powerful connection between African spirituality and water. Her tales spread with the African diaspora, inspiring rich narratives of water deities in the Caribbean and South America.
Mami Wata is not merely a symbol of aquatic grace and beauty. She embodies a more profound message of duality and complexity – fertility and healing, paired with danger and the potential for destruction. The reverence of Mami Wata has always been a testament to the understanding that beauty and power can coexist, that feminine entities can be gentle and yet fierce – a concept that is all too familiar within Black womanhood.
Moving past Mami Wata, other African cultures have merfolk woven into their mythos. The Yoruba people speak of Yemoja, a mother spirit and patron deity of women, especially pregnant women, often depicted as a mermaid. The Dogon tribe in Mali tell tales of the Nommo, ancestral spirits that took the form of aquatic beings.
Why then, in light of this rich historical and cultural context, was there such a backlash when a young, talented Black actress was cast as Ariel?
Perhaps it is a lack of knowledge, a lack of exposure to narratives beyond the familiar. The controversy offers a stark reminder that our collective storytelling has often been narrowly defined, influenced by a singular perspective, and we must challenge these narratives.
By casting Halle Bailey as Ariel, Disney has not rewritten the story; they have broadened it. They’ve allowed another demographic to see themselves as the beautiful, brave, and beloved mermaid, thereby embracing a more inclusive form of storytelling.
Remember, mermaids do not belong to one single culture; they are global entities, as diverse as the people who believe in them. So, it’s about time that our screens reflect this diversity. Because Black girls have always been mermaids, from the lore of Mami Wata to the casting of Ariel. It’s high time the world recognized this, acknowledging that the waves of the ocean, much like the threads of folklore and tales, are deep, diverse, and beautifully inclusive.
Black people been mermaids, and will continue to be – on screen, in our stories, and in our rich, diverse lore that spans continents and culture – and that’s on Halle Bailey.
