Iyemanjá

Iyemanjá is the most adored Orixá in Brazil.

She is loved even by those who are not followers of Candomblé.

In fact, she is a myth.

Iyemanjá is the caregiver, the mother of all, especially those who need it most. She protects the hungry, the sailors, the slaves.

She is called "Queen of the sea" and is worshiped in the salty waters, even though her origins belong to a river, precisely the Ogun River in Nigeria.

According to oral tradition, the association of Iyemanjá with the ocean began at a certain point in the past when, during a famine that was afflicting the interior regions of Brazil, some fishermen crossed a river, the Rio Vermelho, and made offers to vote for Iyemanjá, asking for abundance of fish, both in rivers and in the ocean, to help feed hungry people in the country. Iyemanjá complied with the fishermen's request and filled the waters with an abundance of fish. Since then, fishermen have started the day by praising Iyemanjá and offering him flowers and fruits.

This tradition is perpetuated in the celebrations dedicated to her, which are widely distributed in Brazil and the Caribbean.

For example, on February 2nd, in the city of Salvador, together with the Virgin of Sailors, the people also celebrate Iyemanjá, throwing fruits and flowers into the sea.

In the State of São Paulo, Iyemanjá is celebrated on December 8th, together with the Christian celebration of the Immaculate Conception.

Finally, in Cuba, Iyemanjá is celebrated on August 15th, coinciding with the other Christian celebration of Assumption Day.

Here her greetings:

Odó Ìyá (Salve, mother of rivers)

Èérú Ìyá (Salve, mother of slaves)

Iyemanjá embodies motherhood.

She is able to welcome, love, care.

Highly representative of her qualities is the episode of Omolú, the son abandoned by Nanã because of his wounded body, which she found on the beach and took with her to heal, protect and raise him with love and compassion.

She is the essence of female power.

The wise man turns to her, because she keeps all secrets. Infertile women beg her to have children.

Spiritually or physically hungry people cling to her to be satisfied.

We are all children of Iyemanjá and we trust her to take care of our lives.

Iyá O!