Iemanjá: Afro-Brazilian Goddess of the New Year and the Sea

Happy New Year everyone!

On New Year’s Eve, we were fortunate enough to see some pagan rituals of a tradition that is very much alive. We went to Brazil and witnessed rituals in honour of Iemanjá, a Sea Goddess that is also seen as the Goddess of the New Year.

Fig. 1. From left to right: Pai João (a Preto Velho), Iemanjá and a "figa" (fig sign)

This Orixá (or Deity) has Her origins in West Africa, but is now also venerated on the other side of the Atlantic. Many African slaves kept worshipping the Gods of their homelands and passed down the religious rites to the next generations. [I]

These West African rites were mixed with elements of Catholicism and indigenous American elements resulting in the modern-day religions of Umbanda and Candomblé [II] that attract followers from all races and backgrounds [see video].

Fig. 2. Holiday decoration in a pousada in Paraty, Brazil (figurine of Iemanjá in blue on the mantelpiece).

In Brazil, Alongside Christmas trees and Santa Claus, one can often see blue and white Iemanjá-themed decoration in the hot summer month of December (Fig. 2.) and on New Year’s Eve, many people dress in white (or blue) and go down to the beach for the countdown and the ensuing party.

When we were there, we saw shallow holes dug by celbrants all over the beach, with candles, flowers, incense sticks etc. in them. It truly was an enchanting sight.

Fig. 3. Votive pit with candles and petals for Iemanjá on a beach in Boiçucanga, Brazil.

Regardless of their religion, many people throw a white rose (or a similar offering) in the sea for Iemanjá and then jump over seven waves, quietly making a wish for the coming year every time they jump a wave.

Iemanjá is one of the 7 main Orixás, but there are many more interesting divinities, spirits and symbols in Brazilian folklore. I particularly like the Pretos Velhos or “Old Blacks” which are seen as wise, benevolent spirits that were African slaves during their lifetime. [III]

One example of such a Preto Velho is Pai João or “Father John” [IV] who is typically depicted seated, smoking a pipe.(Fig. 1.)

Sources:[I] Boyce Davies, Carole (2008) Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture. A-C. Volume 1, Volume 2. ABC-CLIO: p257.[II] Jenkins, Willis J. et al. (2016) Routledge Handbook of Religion and Ecology. Routledge: p193.[III] Anthony Appiah, Kwame & Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2005) Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. Oxford University Press: p584.[IV] Molina, N.A. (2015) Livro de Feitiços de Preto Velho. Livropostal: p16.]