In some parts of this weeks readings, I noticed how mermaids were being portrayed in a negative light and depicted as vengeful. Particularly in the first section it states, “In early 2012, a local news station reported that the community b lamed the malfunction of Gwehava Dam in Gokwe, completed just two years earlier on “angry spirirts” who “exist in the form of a mermaid and a large strange snake that dwells within the surroundings of the dam” (166). This reflects a belief system where supernatural beings are held accountable for natural events or technical failures. By framing the malfunction as the result of angry spirits, it implies that there are consequences for human actions, such as disrespecting the natural environment or failing to appease spiritual entities.

We are the ones invading their habitat and environment, but claiming that they are the ones to blame when our agenda doesn’t go as planned. Blaming mythical beings or spirits for natural events may serve as a coping mechanism or a way to reconcile human actions with the unpredictability of nature. However, it’s crucial to recognize the underlying power dynamics and environmental impact of human activities, such as dam construction or habitat destruction, which can disrupt ecosystems and displace indigenous species. Attributing blame to mermaids and other mythical beings for the malfunction of the Gwehava Dam may reflect a broader narrative of displacement and exploitation of natural resources. There is tension between traditional beliefs and modern development, where indigenous mythologies are often marginalized or dismissed in favor of technological explanations.