It is an instrument of potential injury, resembling a leopard’s tail. Brazilians also think of it as an abstract form of her child, Omolu, being held lovingly in the crook of the goddess’ arm. Doté Amilton Sacramento Costa of Salvador da Bahia told Prof. Matory that Nanã is the goddess who comforts us as death approaches and as one is dying.

It alludes to the swelling of a woman’s abdomen in pregnancy. Conversely, it is said to be able to kill a man whose belly it touches by causing his belly to swell.