The hybridity of Mami Wata in Ti Jeanne creates an element of fear for those who believe in the tale. Not only is she a hybrid beast whose bottom half is a snake, but she also can assume the form of a woman, who is beautiful (unlike her snake form). One would not know that she is Mami Wata when she is in her human form. “In her mermaid form, be it piscine or reptilian, Mami Wata dwells in the waters of the forests she protects, but just as often, she might pass you by in her human form as she walks down the street in high heels, dressed to the nines and wearing stylish sunglasses. She takes seduction to a whole new level, using her beauty and promises of wealth to attract followers, and is not above sleeping with her devotees or taking them as spouses” (p.274). I found this passage to be interesting for many reasons. First off, her hybrid nature, that varies depending on where she is. On one hand, she is a protector, a guardian, but on the other she is a seductress, a symbol of sexuality. Not only does she take part in human activities (such as sex and marriage), but she also indulges in their vanity, by dressing to their standards (and seemingly separating herself from a more classic nature image). This is interesting because later in the story, she critiques Ti Jeanne for her vanity, and uses it as her reason for enchanting Ti Jeanne. I interpret this either as hypocrisy, or a belief that only river spirits are allowed vanity. Another part of the passage I found interesting was the description of Mami Wata’s seductive behavior. When we (those in the US, perhaps California) think of mother nature, we think of a mother figure, a safe place, nature. However, this representation of “mother water” is not a mother figure; rather she is a symbol of sexuality, seduction, and love. By saying she is not above sleeping with her followers, this myth goes against many beliefs of the value of sex, especially for women. Many women are looked down upon for engaging in sexual behavior, but Mami Wata’s choice to sleep with devotees changes power dynamics in female sexuality. I wonder if this reflects the culture or goes against their beliefs.