A fisherman on Lake Victoria has detailed what he describes as the widespread use of mortuary water in traditional rituals among sections of the fishing community, claiming it is associated with beliefs around increasing fish catches, protecting boats and influencing business relationships.
In a lengthy account on social media, the fisherman, who identifies himself as Othwes Jamabinju, said the practice is known among different groups operating around the lake, including boat owners, fish brokers, women who buy fish directly from fishermen and market traders.
Jamabinju, who describes himself as a “fisherman with a pen”, said the water is believed by some people to possess ritual significance and is used in different ways depending on the person's role in the fishing industry.
He said boat owners, locally known as Jakambis, allegedly use the water for protection and to attract larger catches.
According to his account, some mix small quantities of the water with blood from themselves and a black chicken before sprinkling the mixture around boats using leaves from the mieny or mueny plant, which he identifies as holy basil.
“Similar mixtures are sprinkled on nets or used to wash fishing lines and hooks before every fishing trip,” Jamabinju claimed.
He also described alleged practices involving Jaboyas, women who buy fish from fishermen.
He claimed some women use the water in food, on bedding or in bathing water because of beliefs that it can strengthen emotional or romantic attachment.
Jamabinju further claimed that some widows seeking male companions after the death of their husbands have also been associated with such practices, particularly around fishing beaches where fishermen are commonly found.
According to his account, fish brokers, known as Kachangas, are believed to use mortuary water in attempts to secure business loyalty from boat owners and fishermen.
He claimed some brokers deliberately pay fishermen in cash rather than through mobile money services, alleging that the notes may have been subjected to rituals involving mortuary water.
“Money handed to you this way is believed to blind you and make you addicted to that particular Kachanga,” he said.
The fisherman also alleged that some fish traders sprinkle the water around their market stalls before displaying their stock.
He claimed others add drops to cooking oil used for deep-frying fish, with some subsequently reusing the oil because of the ritual significance attached to it.
Jamabinju acknowledged that the beliefs may appear unusual to outsiders but insisted that his intention was to document practices he says occur within fishing communities around Nam Lolwe, the Luo name for Lake Victoria.
He stressed that he was not seeking to determine whether the rituals work, but rather to describe practices that he claims are associated with business success and fishing activities.