Simbi, also known as Cymbee or Sim’bi, represents a fascinating aspect of traditional African Kongo spirituality and Hoodoo practices. These mystical beings hold a special place in the beliefs of the Bakongo people and have also influenced spiritual practices in the African American community, particularly in the American South.
Originating within Kongo-speaking communities, the word “simbi” is rooted in the cultural and spiritual understanding of the world. While there is limited recorded historical evidence, it is widely believed that the concept of simbi emerged as a means for the Bakongo people to comprehend the spiritual essence inherent in the environment. The word might have its roots in “simba,” a Kikongo term meaning “to hold, keep, preserve,” reflecting the symbolic significance of simbi as guardians and preservers of nature and spiritual intermediaries.
In the Kongo spirituality, bisimbi are revered as magically empowered water spirits, known as “nkisi mia mamba” in Kikongo. These enigmatic entities are believed to possess the ability to take various forms such as humans, snakes, calabash vines, or even spark of fire, known as “Kalûnga,” mirroring the spark that initiated the creation of the universe in Kongo mythology. Additionally, bisimbi have been described as appearing in forms such as birds, twisted trees, and mermaid-like beings, showcasing their diverse and mystifying nature. They are regarded as the custodians of the natural world, serving as intermediaries who traverse the Kalûnga Line, connecting the physical realm of the living (Ku Seke) with the spiritual world of the ancestors (Ku Mpémba).
Moreover, bisimbi are viewed as spiritual guides, employing storytelling and oral tradition to establish a profound connection between the living and their ancestral heritage. The phrase “kisímbi kinsí,” which translates to “the very old person who does not die,” underscores the spiritual significance of the elders in the Bakongo community, emphasizing their vital role in preserving and passing down cultural beliefs and traditions from one generation to the next.
It is noteworthy that the influence of simbi is not limited to the African continent. In the Central Africa’s Kongo region, bisimbi are believed to inhabit natural features such as rocks, gullies, streams, and pools, exerting an influence on fertility and the well-being of the inhabitants. This profound spiritual connection has endured and continues to influence spiritual practices, particularly in the African American community’s Hoodoo traditions in the American South. The enduring legacy of Central African spiritual customs and the reverence for simbi spirits are evident in various cultural practices, including the fervent prayers to Kongo-derived simbi spirits in African American churches during baptisms.
The enigmatic nature of simbi and their enduring influence in spiritual practices serve as a testament to the profound and enduring cultural significance of these water and nature spirits. Whether as guardians of nature, spiritual intermediaries, or revered guides, simbi continue to captivate and inspire those who seek a deeper understanding of the spiritual world.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the site!
What She Go Do: Women in Afro-Trinidadian Music (Caribbean Studies Series)
$28.96 (as of January 22, 2026 23:27 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Feeding the World: Brazil's Transformation into a Modern Agricultural Economy
$45.00 (as of January 22, 2026 23:27 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Brazilian Student Activities Manual for Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language
$35.81 (as of January 22, 2026 23:27 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Village of One: Essays on Trinbago’s Past, Places, People
$35.00 (as of January 21, 2026 23:06 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
THE PRIEST AND THE PROPHETESS
$8.11 (as of January 22, 2026 23:27 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Haiti, Her History and Her Detractors (Classic Reprint)
$20.97 (as of January 20, 2026 22:57 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL
$1.90 (as of January 22, 2026 23:27 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Scramble for the Amazon and the Lost Paradise of Euclides da Cunha
$0.50 (as of January 22, 2026 23:27 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Haitian Revolution: A History from Beginning to End
$8.54 (as of January 20, 2026 22:57 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Better Must Come: Book Two (CHRONICLES OF 20TH CENTURY BARBADOS)
$18.00 (as of January 22, 2026 23:26 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the site!
Siege at Jadotville: The Irish Army's Forgotten Battle
$8.49 (as of January 21, 2026 19:57 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Congo: The Epic History of a People
$10.21 (as of January 22, 2026 20:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Zanzibar Chest: A Memoir of Love and War
$12.76 (as of January 21, 2026 19:57 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Machete Season
$15.37 (as of January 22, 2026 20:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda
$10.53 (as of January 22, 2026 20:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad
$18.63 (as of January 22, 2026 20:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Better Homes and Garden American Patchwork & Quilting Issue 198 2026
$14.99 (as of January 22, 2026 20:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Fall of the Congo Arabs
$3.99 (as of January 21, 2026 19:57 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Introduction to African Civilizations
$14.95 (as of January 21, 2026 19:57 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
4 thoughts on “Simbi: The Water and Nature Spirit in African Kongo Spirituality and Hoodoo”