Two women tragically lost their lives on Monday while participating in a spiritual ritual linked to manjuzu, a mermaid spirit central to some African traditional belief systems.
The incident occurred along the Nyaure River in the Chief Masembura area and has sparked both community outrage and debate over the safety and legitimacy of such practices.
According to local reports, five women, guided by a self-proclaimed spiritual leader, ventured into the river to conduct a ceremony seeking healing and spiritual breakthroughs. However, what was intended as a sacred act ended in a fatal mishap.
“We were praying and calling on the mermaid spirits to assist each woman with her individual issues,” said the spiritual leader, who claimed to be leading the group. “During the ritual, one woman was seemingly taken by the spirits. As we tried to save her, another drowned—along with my wife.”
The deaths have drawn sharp criticism from traditional leaders. Headman Masembura condemned the ritual, emphasizing that sacred sites must not be approached without proper ancestral permission and ritual observance.
“These waters are spiritually sensitive. People should not perform ceremonies without consulting traditional leadership and adhering to proper customs,” he said.
“The prophet claimed he brought offerings like rice, sweets, and wine to appease a spirit—but in this river, manjuzu were never traditionally recognized. The spiritual world is vast and not fully understood.”
In recent years, manjuzu practices have gained popularity, particularly among young women seeking prosperity, fame, or healing.
Devotees believe that those spiritually connected to manjuzu must honour the spirit through specific rites to gain favour and success.
However, seasoned traditional healers caution against unregulated rituals.
“Many now claim spiritual gifts or ties to manjuzu without proper training,” said Sekuru Nzou, a respected healer. “Some are frauds using harmful magic.
There are different kinds of manjuzu spirits—some bring wealth, others appear in dreams or through visions in rivers. Interacting with them requires deep knowledge.”
Nyasha Simon, a researcher on African spirituality, agreed.
“Manjuzu spirits are real within traditional cosmology, but many are now misused by fake prophets and opportunists,” she said. “People drawn to these rituals without genuine spiritual alignment often encounter serious consequences.”
The tragedy has reignited concern over the commercialization of African spiritual practices and the growing number of untrained spiritual figures. Critics argue that the lack of proper guidance is endangering lives and discrediting long-held traditions.
While belief in manjuzu remains strong in some communities, this incident has highlighted the need for caution, respect for ancestral customs, and clearer spiritual education within the tradition.
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