RIO DE JANEIRO — A vibrant gathering of thousands enveloped Arpoador beach in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, all dressed in white attire, to honor Yemanja, the revered Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea.
Devotees entered the ocean amid the captivating sounds of drums and rhythmic clapping, presenting colorful floral tributes to the goddess, a tradition celebrated annually on February 2nd.
Beatriz Toledo, a 26-year-old educator, expressed the sentiments of many, stating, “We offer our gifts to the sea, asking for her blessings of protection and prosperity, as well as for her to wash away negativity and misfortune.”
“She embodies a motherly figure who looks after us. She wishes only for positivity and good in our lives,” Toledo elaborated, emphasizing the spiritual connection many feel towards Yemanja.
Yemanja holds a significant place in Afro-Brazilian spiritual practices, particularly within the faiths of Candomble and Umbanda. However, practitioners of these traditions often face discrimination and even religiously motivated violence across Brazil.
This stark reality was overshadowed by the joyful atmosphere of the ceremony taking place on Sunday.
“It’s incredibly uplifting because we recognize the need for moments of reflection and inner tranquility, as well as a deeper connection to nature, since the deity represents the essence of nature itself,” remarked 68-year-old teacher Maria de Fátima Santos.
Anielle Franco, the Minister of Racial Equality in the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, participated in the celebrations.
“I started my day in Rio de Janeiro celebrating Yemanja Day. The lady of the waters brings a gentle breeze, the scent of the sea, the waves, and a sense of vastness,” said Franco, honoring her late sister, councilwoman Marielle Franco, in a post on social media.
“She is my solace amidst my thoughts,” she added, reflecting on the significance of the day.
The festivities were planned to continue throughout the afternoon and into the night, creating a lasting environment of community and celebration.
