In 1956, an Italian company was offered a contact to build the Kariba.

Many local people from the Tonga tribes were relocated and families were separated. The local community resisted and 9 people were killed in a conflict with the Settler government.

Halfway through the construction, the Nyaminyami caused massive floods that killed 196 men. The next year, the Italian company continued construction.

Engineers believed that there was a one in a thousand chances of a flood re-occuring again the next year.

Strange enough, an even stronger flood occurred the next year that washed away the wall. The waters of the next flood were 3 metres higher than the last and many animals had to be relocated in an rescue called operation Noah.

The Chief of the Tonga had been relocated and the Italian company was advised to  find him and ask for assistance to appease the river God, Nyaminyami.

Nyaminyami had reportedly been separated from his mermaid wife who was now on the lower side of the dam wall, hence he angrily decided to show his power by unleashing the floods.

After rituals were performed, the dam wall was successfully constructed and the wall has been standing since 1957.