Yemanja is a powerful female orixá and said to be the mother of most orixás. Yemanja is the orixá of the seas, lakes and fertility. She was long feared becuase of her overly protective nature and appetite for offerings. Yemanja is the patron orixá of Brazil. On New Years Eve, her birthday, a million people dressed in white go to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Altars are built, candles are lit and the sea shore is a maze of color from the millions of flowers that are offered to her in respect and with hopes of getting a prayer answered. |
