The River Spirit

I had heard from several people that they feared the River Spirit.
Ato Daniel Bambui, the government worker who has been studying Suri culture, songs and stories for some years, explained that the River Spirit is called by two names: Maneknee and Namani. (These are English phonetic spellings. When I take notes, I actually use many Latvian letters as they closer mimic some Suri sounds.) While Daniel spoke some English, Ermius our driver translated.
“Most people can’t see the River spirit,” Daniel explained. “Only the witch doctor can see. If you see him, you will die.”
“What does he look like?”
“He is very ugly.” Daniel laughs, “Like Ermius here.”
He could have one eye. Or he could have two.”
“Is it male or female?” I ask.
“It could be a boy or girl.”
“How old?”
“It can be any age.”
“Does it wear clothes?”
“Yes, it wears clothes. It walks very fast.”
“Where do they live?”
“It could be river or mountain. But they like the river or near.” Then Daniel contradicted himself. “When someone see him, you become crazy.”