MENGI
allyHero
An entity little attested in the available sources. Mengi is presented by a few rare repertories of mythology as a cultural hero of the Congo whose sister is said to have been carried off by Kisimbi, a spirit of the waters. While the kisimbi or simbi spirits are, for their part, well documented in the Kongo tradition, the character of Mengi and this precise narrative are not found in the encyclopaedic or scholarly sources consulted. His figure thus remains obscure and weakly corroborated.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
Voice of its pantheon. MENGI carries the memory of its tradition and weaves a thread into the Mabioni. Bound to the Congo pantheon.
Sacred Mask
An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of culture, embodiment of the power of Mengi
Era
Ancient cycle
Frequently asked questions
What is told about Mengi?
A brief narrative, reported by rare repertories, makes of him a Congolese cultural hero whose sister is said to have been carried off by Kisimbi, a spirit of the waters.
Is this narrative solidly attested?
No. The simbi or kisimbi spirits are well known to the Kongo tradition, but the character of Mengi and this precise story do not appear in the reliable sources consulted.
Who are the Kisimbi mentioned in this narrative?
The simbi, or bisimbi, are spirits of the waters and of nature of the Bakongo tradition, guardians of the rivers, the springs and the stones.