Nyami Nyami

The Legend of Nyaminyami is a powerful reminder of the impact that development can have both on the environment and the culture indigenous peoples.

The Tonga (BaTonga) people of Zimbabwe lived in relative seclusion in Zambezi Valley for centuries. The gods provided for them. Food and water were made available thanks to the Zambezi river that flowed though their communities. Among these gods was "Nyaminyami" the river god said to be responsible for the occasional earth tremor felt in Lake Kariba. He is not unlike the Lochness Monster – dragon-like appearance with a fishlike head and a snake’s torso.

In the 1950’s the Kariba Dam project was started forcing the BaTonga to leave their traditional ground and move to higher ground. They reluctantly moved, certain that Nyaminyami would thwart the project and they could return home. The worst flood ever known on the Zambezi struck in 1957 washing away much of the construction equipment and killing many of the workers. While this was a major setback for the project it was finally completed in 1960.

Legend has it that Nyaminyami was philandering downstream the dam was sealed and has been separated from his wife ever since. His loneliness will only end when the dame is destroyed and he is reunited with his wife.