February 2nd is Iemanja Day in Brazil. The goddess of the sea is admired nationwide, but especially so in cities by the sea with large communities of fishermen, such as Angra dos Reis.

In a country with so many people, so many different beliefs and so much diversity, Iemanja Day is a testament of the nation’s African origins and its importance in contemporary culture and daily life.

Who’s Iemanja?

[caption id="attachment_1198" align="aligncenter" width="540"]Iemanja, the Queen of the Seas / source Iemanja, the Queen of the Seas [/caption]

Iemanja is the Brazilian version for the name of the African orixá (deity), Yemaja. Originally from the Yoruba religion, the goddess was brought to Brazil in the slave ships, and flourishes in religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda.

Protector of the seas, its creatures, the fishermen and everything related to it, she’s the personification of the seawaters. She also represents motherhood and the protector of children.

What happens on Iemanja Day?

[caption id="attachment_1195" align="aligncenter" width="540"]Iemanja Day in Angra dos Reis / source Iemanja Day in Angra dos Reis / source[/caption]

On this day, Iemanja’s followers and worshipers celebrate her existence and ask her for protection in exchange for gifts. Most of the fishermen in Brazil, regardless of whether or not they are practicers of Umbanda or Candomblé, worship Iemanja as a way to guarantee their earnings and protection in the sea.

Amongst the religious followers, there are a several religious events that are open to all, since the goddess is the mother of us all. Iemanja is also one of the major orixás in Brazil, bearing great significance to the country and to the religion, comparable to Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (Our Lady of the Seafaring).

Celebrations in Angra dos Reis:

As a major seaside city, the town of Angra dos Reis in the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro always hosts magnificent celebrations for Iemanja Day. Every year, the townsmen put on a vast multicultural event to honour the goddess of the seas.

Besides the natural wonders of Angra dos Reis, such as all the surrounding islands crowned by Ilha Grande, the ‘Brazilian Mediterranean’, you can enjoy browsing the city of Angra and taking part in the events that will be hosted there.

Full schedule for the Iemanja Day events:

The Iemanja Day celebrations begin on January 30th, with the exhibit Iemanjá - a Rainha do Mar (Iemanja - Queen of the Sea), at the Casa Laranjeiras. There will be photos from last year’s celebrations, images depicting the legend of the goddess, sculptures of the orixás and the traditional wish-box for the deity.

On February 2nd, the actual Iemanja Day, there will be a procession that starts at 2pm in the Zumbi dos Palmares Square, which goes through downtown Angra dos Reis towards the port, where it continues on a boat. At this point, everyone who has a wish to make to the goddess, or whose wishes were already granted by her, fills the boat with their offerings.

At 5pm, at the Cais de Santa Luzia, there’ll be a capoeira show, followed by a Roda de Jongo and a musical performance by a pagode group.

As well as enjoying the Iemanja Day celebrations in Angra dos Reis, you can take an Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande full day tour with rdj4u.com. Explore the best of this beautiful area and be sure to make a wish to Iemanja for a wonderful 2014!
By: Pedro Rocha - Community Manager