The Nyami Nyami, otherwise known as the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake spirit, is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people. Nyami Nyami is believed to protect the Tonga people and give them sustenance in difficult times. The River God is usually portrayed as male.
This myth sets the scene for the beginning of the movie, and is still a popular myth in Zimbabwe - with a statue of Nyami Nyami overlooking the wall at Kariba Dam.