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Bisimbi (singular Kisimbi) are water nymphs in the Congo region. They live only in wells and ponds that are sources of rivers. They are so dangerous that only medicine men and herbalists go near these places in search of roots and pebbles. The Bisimbi are said to cause skin diseases, the cure for which can only be obtained in their haunts.

A Congolese story tells how the mother of many children sent her eldest daughter, of whom she was sexually jealous because of her many conquests, to the river. As the girl drew water, the Bisimbi grabbed her and pulled her under. The mother then sent her eldest son, Mengi, to see what had happened. He saw his sister’s water jar floating in the river and heard her voice calling him. The girl’s hand rose from the water holding a pearl necklace. ‘Give this to our mother,’ she cried. Mengi brought it back to the village and was accused of stealing it. The elders came to the river to see and hear for themselves. Again, Mengi called out for his sister, and her hand rose with another necklace. The elders immediately directed the able men to build a dam to divert the water. As the river bed dried up, they found the girl in a coffin. Inside she was still beautiful but her skin was blood red. Bisimbi voices sang to them, ‘Take her back, if you are strong, or leave her with us and we will keep her.’ As soon as the girl was lifted from the coffin, a terrible storm struck, breaking the dam and drowning a man. As they lifted the girl to shore, the Bisimbi cried out, ‘Take her but never let her eat pork.’ She continued to live among her people, but she had become dreamy and quiet. Her mother, still fuelled by jealousy, gave a feast for her, concealing pork in the dish. As soon as the girl tasted it, water began to swirl about her feet, ever rising until it swept her back into the river where she remained, becoming one of the Bisimbi forever.