Yaheema Alfonso

Yemanja- Goddess of the Sea

In the Candomblé religion, which is a polytheistic religion, meaning to believe in more than one god, Yemanja, is the mother of all fishes, and all waters states Peter Fryer of Rhythms of Resistance, “both fresh and salt”. Originating from the West African traditions, Yemanja represents the nurturing aspect when noticed among all the orishas. Aside from that, she is also noticed as the deity of life, fertility, and creation; the mother of all, with indulgent and caring qualities. Yemanja is “extremely compassionate and merciful”. She is worshiped in the southern regions of North America, the Caribbean, and certain parts of South America; in particular, Brazil. She is known in the nation of Brazil as the goddess of the sea. Most importantly, the goddess, Yemanja is “the mother of all life”. She is the goddess of “inspiration…When it comes to caring for others, her impulses are sincere and comforting”. Yemanja is the deity that generates guidance, and comforting potency.

When she dances, she sways with the waves, going from left to right, side to side, front to back, and sews a story. She uses her hands and hips to generate the field of the sea, river, lagoons, and everything containing water. Fryer states, “Her dance represents the sea’s tumbling movements, and she rustles her skirts to imitate the waves”. When Yemanja dances, she dances to the beat called “ijexa”. This is a particular beat that most of the orishas, under the Candomblé religion, dance to. Yemanja’s sister by the name of Oxum, dances to the same rhythm as well. The “ijexa” drumming rhythm is produced through heavy drumming, bell ringing, and singing that is sung at a seemingly low, yet high bitch. Fryer writes that the “ijexa” is composed of “songs sung in archaic Yoruba and takes its name from another ancient Yoruba kingdom: Ijesa”. When Yemanja dances, her arm is raised above her hips, slightly aligned with her shoulder, and her hands are gently arched, as if she were gathering water. She moves her arm gestures with her body, while like I mentioned earlier, maneuvering gently from side to side, and front to back to the “ijexa” beat.

It is said that she gave birth to all the orishas gods and goddesses. “Myth has it that Yemanja gave birth to the 14 Yoruban Goddesses and Gods”. When she gave birth “her uterine waters broke, it caused a great flood creating the oceans”. The myth follows that she gave birth to the first human male and first human female.

She is seen, through traditions, as the protector of families, children, unborn children, and women who are expecting. Yemanja has a caring for children. She is an “Angolan water spirit”(Fryer 18), however, at the same time she is also identified as “Our Lady of the Conception” and “Our Lady of the Navigators”. In the candomble religion, “her icons generally portray a young woman of decidedly Marian and European appearances” (Fryer 18). Yemonja, because of her characteristics, is portrayed as a mermaid or the “European water-sprite” (Fryer 18). She is generally depicted as a mermaid; however she can at times also be depicted, “as a beautiful woman standing amidst the waves”.

Yemanja has many other different names that she goes by. Just to name a few: “Queen of Witches”, “Mother of Fishes”, “The Constantly Changing Woman”, “The Ocean Mother”, “Mother of Dreams and Secrets”, Mother of Pearl”, “Mama Watta”, meaning the mother of waters, and finally she is also identified as “Yemaya-Olokun”, which means “powerful dream aspect”. These names are, like I mentioned earlier, particular to the specific region in which the rituals are practiced.

Shells, pearls, and starfish, are all sacred objects to Yemanja. She is at times adorned with these objects as well. It is said that the sea shell represents the first gift that she gave to the first human being. Through this sea shell “her voice could always be heard”. One being states that “we honor Yemanja when we hold a shell to our ear in order to hear her voice, the ocean”. Another piece used to depict Yemanja, and the other Orishas, is through numbering. The number 7 is Yemanja’s number, which represents the seven seas that were dispersed from her being.

On her day of praise, women, men, and children all wear white along with blue or white beaded necklaces; blue and White being the colors that represent Yemanja. Aside from the traditional celebration clothes, many gather along beaches to soak themselves in the water. For instance in Brazil, most celebrate Yemanja’s spirit, by throwing flowers into the ocean. As if to shower Yemanja with gifts, honor, and prayer. Fryer states, “A great many inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro throw flowers into the sea for her on the last night of each year”(Fryer 18). The celebration of Yemanja is different in different regions. For instance, in the island of Cuba the people celebrate her day on September 8. It all just depends on the region of the religious ceremony taking place. The ritual taking place at the beach is further celebrated with festivities at a home. The festivities that take place in people’s houses are followed by the sacrifice of a chicken, or any animal, however, a chicken is predominantly used in these candomblé rituals. The sacrificed animals and other treats are offered to the gods as gifts. The offerings are offered to the gods so that those in returns, the ones who offered, receive blessing, guidance, and “Axe” or in translation, power. Once the ritual is complete, the ones who partook in the ritual, and the guests, feast on the offerings in honor of the god or goddess they are celebrating.

The goddess, Yemanja, is the mother of all fishes and waters, and the mother of all things in existence. She is the deity that represents motherly love, and all substances in existence. Her essence is captured in many regions of the world including North America, Brazil, regions of the Caribbean, and others. The mermaid deity, as she is commonly remembered, is characterized as the protector of families, women who are expecting, unborn children, and living children. Her spirit expresses the “compassionate” and mothering qualities that many have discovered to be appealing. Yemanja, signifies inspiration and comfort for the many individuals that follow her greatness.

Books:
Fryer, Peter. Rhythms of Resistance: African Musical Heritage in Brazil.
London: Wesleyan University Press, 2000.