5. Mami Wata
Mami Wata is an intriguing feminine spirit in African and Caribbean folktale. The name comes from Mami meaning woman and Wata meaning water which implies she is a mermaid like creature. In many illustrations she appears as having the upper body of a female and the lower body of a fish or serpent. Mami Watas accessories include combs, watches and mirrors and she often has a snake that accompanies her on her adventures by wrapping himself round her body. Mami Wata is able to pass for human and allegedly morphs into a human body to get lost in the bustle of a busy market or crowded bar. Mami Wata doesn't come with one single story to bring to the silver screen, there are many tales to choose from. There are stories of her abducting swimmers or sailors, bringing them into her underwater realm. If she allows them to leave the travellers will find themselves on dry land, in dry clothing but with a sudden new enlightened perspective of the world. They have a glow about them, they look healthier and will most likely find success in their business endeavours. She often appears to people in their dreams, offering them advice on health, family and wealth. She is also said to test people by leaving her possessions at the river whilst she spies from the water. If someone takes her items she visits them in a dream and ask for her things back. If the perpetrator obeys her wishes and promises to remain faithful to her she grants them good luck. It's bad news if you decide to keep her belongings. There are more darker tales surrounding Mami Wata. In Cameroon they blame her for the strong undertow that drowns many swimmers along the coast. Shes not a very child-friendly figure as she denies children to those women who she believes deserve wealth and beauty rather than family and motherhood.
How To Make It Awesome: Because theres no set story for Mami Wata, a scriptwriter could go to town with a film version of her powers. Things that spring to mind are a modern Heart of Darkness meets Django Unchained meets Blood Diamond meets Mosquito Coast meet a more kick-ass Pocahontas. Still with me?
Dream Team Mami Wata: Nicole Galicia Director: Quentin Tarantino
Can you think of any other fairy tales that deserve the movie treatment? Let us know in the comments section below.