Mbaba Mwana Waresa

Mbaba Mwana Waresa is a fertility goddess of the Zulu religion of Southern Africa.  She rules over rainbows, agriculture, harvests, rain, and beer and has power over water and earth.  She taught Her people how to sow and reap and also taught them the art of making beer. It is this act that has made Her one of the more revered goddesses of the Zulu people.

Description
Mbaba Mwana Waresa lived in the clouds, in a round hut made of rainbow arches. Her people loved this rain goddess, and whenever they heard the telltale sound of Her thunder drum, they knew that She would be pouring much-needed waters from Her heavenly home. She is the daughter of the sky god Umvelinqangi.

She is able to shapeshift Her appearance to that of an animal, hence Her other name, "Nomkhubulwane", which means "She who chooses the state of an animal.

According to legend, She was unable to find a suitable husband in the heavens, so She scoured the lands of South Africa in search of a mortal husband, and then defied all of the other gods when She fell in love with a mortal man.  In order to make sure he loved Her, She tested him by sending a beautiful bride in Her place while She disguised herself as an ugly hag.  Her earthly lover was not fooled and recognized her immediately. They married and to this day, they live in her rainbow covered house in the sky.

Worship
The Zulu call on Her when they need guidance to make an important decision.

References

Category:Zulu goddesses
Category:Zulu mythology
Category:Fertility goddesses
Category:Agricultural goddesses
Category:Sky and weather goddesses
Category:Rain deities