Mammy Water: folk beliefs and psychotic elaborations in Liberia

Beliefs in a spirit called ‘Mammy Water’ are widely shared by the population of the West African Republic of Liberia. Mammy Water is usually described as a beautiful, light-skinned female (spirit), who is particularly vain about her long, flowing hair and her golden comb. It is believed that Mammy Water is attracted by certain men to whom she often appears in the context of dreams, promising to make these individuals rich and famous if they agree to observe complete sexual abstinence with all other women, as well as fulfill other demands she may make of them, such as the offering of sacrifices and the avoidance of alcohol. But while it is believed that contact with Mammy Water can indeed engender material success, failure to comply with her demands can result in financial ruin and serious physical and mental illness. Research conducted during the author's two years as Director of Liberia's only psychiatric facility, the Catherine Mills Rehabilitation Center, confirmed that some ten per cent of male patients requiring in-patient treatment for psychotic disorders, revealed a system of delusions relating to possession by Mammy Water. In this paper folk beliefs concerning Mammy Water provide the background for a presentation of two cases histories of possession states characterized by psychotic elaborations of Mammy Water beliefs. Hypotheses are advanced to explain the origin, status symbolism, and psychodynamic significance of Mammy Water beliefs for the normal Liberian, as well as for the patient population under study.