Mama D'Leau (derived from the French Maman de l'eau or "Mother of the River"), also known as Mama Dlo and Mama Glo,[1] is the protector and healer of all river animals, according to the folklore of islands such as Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica.[2][3][4][5] She is usually depicted as a beautiful woman with long hair, who sits on upper body and arms and from her waist downwards twists into coils. Her tongue becomes forked and she holds a golden comb which she passes through her snaky hair.[6][7]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ "Caribbean Folklore", Africa Speaks.
- ^ Henry, Steinberg (2014). Calypso Drift. Xlibris Corporation. p. 120. ISBN 9781493154647.
- ^ Boos, Hans (2001). The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago. Texas A&M University Press. p. 82. ISBN 9781585441167.
- ^ Crask, Paul (2016). Dominica. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 29. ISBN 9781784770310.
- ^ Honychurch, Lennox (1982). Our Island Culture. Dominica: Dominica Cultural Council. p. 20.
- ^ Courtesy The Heritage Library via the Trinidad Guardian
- ^ Hans E. A. Boos, The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago, 2001, p. 81.