The majestic Nyachowa Falls situated about 12 km from Mutare City is one of the most
frequented holiday sites in Vumba. The falls are the second largest in Manicaland after Mtarazi
Falls.
Nyachowa Falls is heavily shrouded in mystery, myth and legend of the presence of mermaids
and golden treasures hidden beneath.
Mermaids, like other mythological creatures, have roots in many cultures, including the Ningyo
of Japan, the Yawkyawk of Australia, La Sirene of Haiti, Iara of Brazil, and Sedna of North

America. Their existence is woven throughout the world, but not nearly enough of their stories
have been widely told.
These creatures are often portrayed as creators and protectors but they are also known for being
fierce and dangerous. Other mermaids with African origins range from the umndau named after
Ndau in Zimbabwe, who have sharp teeth and pull people into deep water, to the Karoo mermaid
in South Africa, who is said to live in a rare waterfall in the desert, creating storms and floods if
she’s angered.
Folklore in Zimbabwe has it that mermaids not only exist, but they have supernatural powers that
may be imparted to the ordinary human beings.
The mythical creatures also do have a bad reputation, with some believing they are responsible
for kidnapping, torture and even murder.
According to Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), president George
Kandiero, mermaids (njuzu/umndau) is a marine spirit that manifests itself in the form of a
woman that is half human and half fish in structure.
“Traditionally such spirits are known to reside in water bodies and can only be spotted by a few
individuals. From the descriptions provided through oral tradition and testimonials from eye
witnesses to such creatures, the spirit presents itself in the form of a beautiful woman from the
head to waist and the rest of the body is in the form of a fish,” said Kandiero.
He also described njuzu as a marine spirit that is just like any other form of spirit known as
midzimu in Shona culture, that has unique characteristics attached to it to set it apart from the
rest.
“When we talk of spirit mediums we talk of them being possessed by a spirit (mudzimu) which
could be that of an animal known as mhondoro or of the marines known as njuzu,” he added.
According to an online sangoma, Nokulinda Mkhize, she says water spirits are related to people
through commerce and conquest. She described the role of the umndau/njuzu spirit to take care
of the worldly aspects of a person which include money, sex drive and fertility.
Kandiero reiterated that one who is said to be possessed by the njuzu spirit is generally a person
of good charm, luck and prosperity.
“Since njuzu is a ‘mudzimu’ of a person, to which in Shona culture mudzimu is there to protect a
being and their bloodline, one possessed with that of njuzu is associated with good fortune,
positive charm and prosperity. Whatever they touch has an unseen blessing that goes along with
it,” he said.
According to Leornard Zamba (89) of Chigodora area, Chief Zimunya, Nyachowa Falls is the
residence of a marine spirit that serves as the protector of the land.
Zamba says that this spirit is the protector of the village since colonial times when Zimbabweans
were at war against the Rhodesian forces.

“Our fore fathers believed in the divine protection of the marine spirit which is said to reside in
the pool just below Nyachowa falls. It is at this pool that traditional rites and rituals were
practiced as they would summon the marine spirit to protect and guide them,’ said Zamba.
Zamba described the njuzu at Nyachowa Falls as a friendly spirit that only admired glitter and
gold just as any ordinary woman would have goose bumps at the sight of a diamond or pearl
necklace in present day.
Nyachowa Falls tour guide Lancelot Buwerimwe demystified part of the mystery surrounding
Nyachowa Falls as he gave an in depth biography of the marine spirit and history behind the
falls.
“The water flowing down the falls comes from a cave known as Muduma. The river travels a
distance of about a kilometer before it reaches the falls. The pool is known to be the playground
of the female njuzu that resides in Muduma cave,” he said.
He said the njuzu does not take pleasure in visitors to the falls wearing flashy and shiny jewelry
as it is believed that it feels intimidated by women who are dressed to be more attractive than her
(njuzu).
“When visiting the falls people are discouraged to wear shiny accessories as the mermaid is said
to be the jealous type and you might find yourself leaving the place with the jewelry having
disappeared mysteriously,” he added.
The njuzu residing at Nyachowa Falls has been named Reason based on ancient folklore which
states that it is one of the rare mermaids that ‘reasoned’ with a human being and agreed to have
sexual relations with a man who was white.
“Back in colonial times, the mermaid met a young fellow to whom she agreed to have sexual
relations with. However, soon after the act the gentleman’s manhood disappeared and he never
had sight of the mermaid ever again,” said Buwerimwe.
The river and falls were named Nyachowa based on the Shona name for mushroom, chowa/howa
as it is believed that mushroom was seen to be flowing down the falls during the rainy season.
“Njuzu as a medium has the role to protect and provide for its people. As such during the rainy
season the river is said to have provide local villagers with mushroom which would flow down
the falls and settle at the pool below, said Buwerimwe.
Further downstream along Nyachowa river there is yet another cave known as Sadzayegona
where it is believed that the male version of njuzu (merman) resides.