Something splashes in the corner of your vision. You catch a glimpse of a fin before it submerges into the waves. Was it a dolphin? A shark? Nessie?!

The allure of mermaids has enchanted cultures around the world for centuries, with their half-human, half-fish forms and mesmerizing beauty. However, when it comes to representations of these fantasy beings in U.S. popular culture and folklore, one group has often been conspicuously absent: black mermaids. Black mermaids, while long ignored in mainstream Western media, are emerging as powerful symbols of beauty, strength, and cultural pride.

Mermaid Folklore Across Cultures

Mermaid folklore is a global phenomenon, with stories of aquatic beings dating back thousands of years. From ancient Greece's naiad and West African mami wata entities to Japanese ningyo and Malay duyung, water people with fish-like features have appeared across diverse cultures. 

These tales often depicted mermaids as mythical beings, rarely associated with any specific racial or ethnic group. With the creation of the concept of "race" as well as colonization however, the concept of '"mermaid" in English came to be associated with white skin and long flowing hair. Industrialization and the spread of U.S.-centric pop culture after World War II and the creation of the Internet have reinforced this rigid image. This bias has contributed to the erasure of black narratives and voices from what could be a rich tapestry of mer-folk lore.

A Paradigm Shift

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to challenge these stereotypes and expand the representation of mermaids in literature, art, and media. Authors, artists, and creators of color have been at the forefront of this change, breathing life into black mermaid characters who celebrate diverse beauty and identity.

I met Dr. Jalondra Davis at the Afro Mermaid Summit in 2023 - she specializes in black mermaid culture, history, and literature. She's been observing, writing on, and teaching about the "black mermaid movement for years! And she's a beautiful mermaid herself! A University of California- Riverside article quotes her:

"Fantasy does not exclusively belong to the imaginations of white European writers and creators"

Blackness and Water

In African and Afro-American folklores, there are water-centered energies like Yemaya and Mami Wata. They are often associated with the sea as well as rivers and lakes and are depicted as regal, powerful, and enchanting. While not always traditionally portrayed as half human/half fish with long flowing hair in Africa, their connection to water and their captivating personas have influenced contemporary depictions of black mermaids. An interesting development coming out of religious and cultural syncretism shows us that on this side of the Atlantic (especially in Brazil) you can find Yemaya represented with a fish tail!

"The Deep", Drexciya, and Beyond

Comic books like "The Deep" by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer have introduced characters like Naïka, a young black mermaid with a rich backstory and compelling adventures. James Stinson and Gerald Donald created "Drexciya," an Afro-Futurist musical project and narrative centered around an underwater civilization inhabited by the descendants of pregnant African

Artwork from "The Book of Drexciya" by Abdul Qadim Haqq

women thrown off slave ships during the Middle Passage. The narrative was later adapted into a graphic novel by Abdul Qadim Haqq (hit me up if you live in St Louis and want to borrow it :D ). In Natasha Bowen's novel "Skin of the Sea," the black mermaid Simi's adventure invites readers to reflect on themes of identity, self-discovery, and the connections between different worlds. "A Song Below Water" by Bethany C. Morrow but also addresses issues of race, identity, and discrimination through the eyes of supernatural Black teens Effie and Tavia in a contemporary urban fantasy setting. These works challenge the conventional narratives surrounding mermaids and offer fresh perspectives.

Celebrating Natural Hair and Beauty

Contemporary depictions of black mermaids often celebrate natural hair and a wide range of skin tones, challenging conventional standards of beauty. These representations send powerful messages of self-acceptance and diversity. I mentioned meeting Dr. Davis at the Afro Mermaid Summit a couple paragraphs ago - the Summit is a beautiful safe space for blackness and watery goodness, their logo even features the silhouette of a mermaid with natural kinky hair!

The history of black mermaids is a multifaceted tale of erasure, resilience, and reclamation. As our society becomes increasingly conscious of the importance of diverse representation, the image of the black mermaid is gaining momentum as a symbol of empowerment, self-acceptance, and cultural pride.

By exploring the depths of mermaid folklore and embracing the diversity of mermaid characters, we can celebrate the richness of our shared human experience, regardless of race or ethnicity. Black mermaids are not just mythical creatures; they are a reflection of our evolving understanding of beauty, identity, and storytelling. As the tides of representation continue to shift, the enchanting world of black mermaids will undoubtedly play a more significant role in the narratives of our shared cultural heritage.

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Mermaid Charis