A spiritual ritual turned tragic in Bindura on Monday when two women drowned in the Nyaure River during a ceremony aimed at invoking manjuzu—marine spirits believed in some traditional Zimbabwean spiritual practices. The incident, which took place in the remote area of Chief Masembura’s jurisdiction, has left the local community reeling in shock and raised serious concerns among traditional leaders and spiritual practitioners.
The ritual was reportedly led by a self-proclaimed prophet who had taken five young women to the riverbank to conduct what he described as a spiritual cleansing and invocation of manjuzu spirits. The group hoped to connect with the mermaid-like beings, who are often associated with wealth, power, and beauty in Zimbabwean folklore.However, the ceremony ended in tragedy.
Speaking to local media, the prophet recounted the horrifying sequence of events. “I went with some women to pray, and I wanted to invoke the mermaid spirits. These people had their own spiritual issues they were trying to address. During the process, one of the women was taken by the spirits. We tried to save her. Another woman drowned while attempting a rescue, and my wife also died in the process,” he said.
Tragedy in Bindura: Two Women Drown During ‘Manjuzu’ Rituals, Sparking Outrage and Debate
The deaths have deeply disturbed the community and prompted local traditional authorities to condemn the manner in which the rituals were carried out. Headman Masembura, representing the local chieftaincy, issued a stern rebuke and warned against engaging in spiritual practices without respecting local customs.
“These are sacred waters,” he said. “There are spiritual beings believed to reside here. Anyone who approaches these rivers must follow the proper channels, consult local leaders, and perform the right rituals. This self-styled prophet brought rice, sweets, biscuits, and wine to offer to the spirits of a deceased colleague. But in this river, we’ve never heard of mermaids. Still, spiritual matters are complex—there may be forces here we don’t fully understand.”
The tragedy has reignited long-standing debates in Zimbabwe over the existence and influence of manjuzu spirits. Traditionally believed to inhabit rivers and lakes, manjuzu are said to possess individuals—usually women—offering them spiritual gifts, wealth, or beauty, often at a cost. Over the years, beliefs surrounding these spirits have become increasingly popular, especially among young women seeking quick fame and fortune.
However, not everyone is convinced. Renowned traditional healer Sekuru Nzou voiced concern over the growing number of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders claiming to work with manjuzu without the proper ancestral or spiritual authority.
“This is shocking,” he said. “Some people just wake up and say they are connected to manjuzu. But real spiritual work requires procedures. Those who accompany people to rivers must have spiritual vision—maziso epfungwa. Without it, you are putting lives at risk.”
Adding her voice to the discourse, traditional spirituality researcher Nyasha Simon explained that there are different types of manjuzu spirits, and warned that fake prophets are manipulating spiritual beliefs for personal gain.
“There are real manjuzu, and there are fake ones,” she said. “Some people buy counterfeit charms or perform rituals involving magic that borders on satanism. We classify manjuzu into three main types: those who reveal themselves in dreams and guide people to river medicines; those associated with granting wealth; and those who serve as spiritual messengers. But if you approach these spirits with deceit or impure intentions, you risk spiritual backlash—or worse, death.”
Simon also pointed out the growing trend of young women seeking quick fixes through manjuzu rituals, often without understanding the spiritual risks involved. “If you go to the river with a hidden agenda, or under the guidance of someone who is not spiritually qualified, the spirits may reject you violently,” she said.
The tragic drowning of the two women has led to renewed calls for regulatory oversight of spiritual practitioners and greater public awareness about the dangers of misguided rituals. Local authorities are urging people to approach traditional practices with caution, consult experienced elders, and avoid following unverified spiritual leaders.
While the existence of manjuzu spirits remains a matter of personal belief, the incident in Bindura has served as a grim reminder of the real-world consequences of spiritual misadventures. For now, the community mourns the loss of two lives and reflects on the delicate line between faith, tradition, and the responsibilities that come with both.
Source- Bulawayo24
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