The Yemanja Festival

This is a celebration of the Yoruba goddess of the sea, Yemanja. It takes place on a beach in Rio Vermelho, where the fishermen are based. Thousands of people from all backgrounds come to the beach bringing offerings of flowers, perfume, soap, candles, wishes and gifts for Yemanja.

As the beach fills with flowers fishermen load their little boats with the baskets and sail out to the ocean, there they place the flowers in the water. Each one represents an individual wish, if the flowers are carried out to sea Yemanja has accepted the offering and the wish has been granted.

It is a celebration of the sea and a festival to honour the goddess, in the hope that the coming year will bring good prospects to the community that lives on her shores.

Yemanja means, "The mother who's children are fish". Deemed to be a mother goddess ,and rules over large bodies of water. Yemanja is the patron of motherhood, and is associated with the moon. Her colours are blue and white. Her symbols include; the fan , A silver crescent , and the mermaid. She is the wife of fishermen . "Their greatest Love" "Their Impossible Desire".

I am looking to celebrate New Year's Eve in Brazil either this year or next.

Has anyone attended or participated in this festival? If so where and when please? I am looking to organize a trip.

Im familiar with yemaya, i did a novena to her, but my wish didnt come true.

Ldybg377,

I really love rituals of giving thanks and honor. If you ever saw the movie "Woman on Top" you'll seen a scene where the fishermen and the priestesses perform the ceremony right on the beach. You might want to rent the movie anyway, it's fun and very sexy. I am not a Penelope Cruz fan but she's well cast in this one.

I've seen other documentaries on this particular celebration, it seems so inviting.

Cheenah,

Sorry you wish didn't come true. May be the timing or the situation wasn't in your best interest. Let's hope and pray something of the highest order comes your way.