Mnetembá Falls
Mnetembá /mnɛthɛmːbauː/ Falls1 are locate in the northernmost part of the Hafamb River in southwestern Túlmikkía, within Karatvánamb Forest.
The falls and surrounding region are ruled by the Kahans, one of the seven tribes of Tederans that make up the Ptivamanaktem Alliance in the central part of the woodlands. The kahans and other tribes within the alliance regard the place as sacred, and perform a number of important rites in a large clearing above the falls, which include ceremonial dances, shamans wearing masks and costumes adorned with strings of silver- and shell beads to imitate the water cascading down the falls and, in some cases, casting down Vevúni war captives to appease the river spirits.
According to tradition, the greatest of these local spirits is depicted as a massive crocodile living a cave behind Mnetembá Falls, a kind of mother goddess believed to have emerged out of the falls long ago while carrying all the creatures of world in her mouth as if they were her hatchlings, which she then released by the riverbank. Among these myriad creatures were several pairs of human twins, including the ancestors of the kahans who settled where their main settlement of Akirimt is now located.
Other spirits associated with the falls are said to have taught mortals how to make banana beer as well as the medicinal and culinary uses of sassafras, both of which grow in abundance in the area.
The falls and surrounding region are ruled by the Kahans, one of the seven tribes of Tederans that make up the Ptivamanaktem Alliance in the central part of the woodlands. The kahans and other tribes within the alliance regard the place as sacred, and perform a number of important rites in a large clearing above the falls, which include ceremonial dances, shamans wearing masks and costumes adorned with strings of silver- and shell beads to imitate the water cascading down the falls and, in some cases, casting down Vevúni war captives to appease the river spirits.
According to tradition, the greatest of these local spirits is depicted as a massive crocodile living a cave behind Mnetembá Falls, a kind of mother goddess believed to have emerged out of the falls long ago while carrying all the creatures of world in her mouth as if they were her hatchlings, which she then released by the riverbank. Among these myriad creatures were several pairs of human twins, including the ancestors of the kahans who settled where their main settlement of Akirimt is now located.
Other spirits associated with the falls are said to have taught mortals how to make banana beer as well as the medicinal and culinary uses of sassafras, both of which grow in abundance in the area.
Geography
Mnetembá Falls are over 300 meters wide and varies between 19 to 23 meters high, facing westwards.
1Original icelandic: Mnetembáfossar.
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