The Mermaid of Meiringspoort
The Mermaid of Meiringspoort
Just outside De Rust, between the Klein and Groot Karoo, lies the dramatic Meiringspoort gorge with its winding river and road. Legend tells of a dark-haired mermaid who haunts the rock pools, a water spirit said to lure people to their deaths—similar to the stories of the Eseljagtspoort spirits near Oudtshoorn. ( see Kaaiman)
Khoi-San rock paintings in the region depict human figures with fish tails, suggesting that tales of a Watermeid may date back centuries. Some believe these images represent ritual swallows linked to rainmaking, while others argue they are literal depictions of creatures witnessed by the San.
Local tradition holds that the Watermeid lives in deep pools and controls rain, floods, and droughts. Many who recall the stories speak in hushed tones, warning that she can drag people into the water if angered.
In 1996, severe floods in Meiringspoort revived the legend when rumours spread of a mermaid swept out to sea and later displayed at the CP Nel Museum in Oudtshoorn—only for visitors to find a mannequin. A local clairvoyant claimed her name was Eporia, and sightings of water spirits were reported across the Karoo.
Whether a warning tale, a piece of African folklore, or a memory of ancient waters that once covered the Karoo, the mermaid remains a haunting figure tied to the mystery of water in a dry land.
See also The legendary Kaaiman
