Trini Folklore: Mama D’Leau

• Mama Glo, Mama Dlo, Mama D’Leau (n):  A folklore character in the form of a beautiful woman, sometimes snake-like, with long hair and a fish-like tail who lives in rivers.  <French Creole mama dlo/glo <French maman ‘mother’ + de l’eau ‘of the water’>
  • Then there were….mama d’leau… – mother of the waters who is the great snake character of rivers. (Ahye 1938:45)

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Source: Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago by Lise Winer

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