Yemọja

Africa

In traditional Yoruba culture, Yemọja is a mother spirit and patron of women, especially pregnant women, and the deity of the Ogun River, though other rivers across Yorùbáland are also dedicated to her. She is worshipped at streams, creeks, springs, wells, and run-offs.

Her name derives from Yoruba words meaning 'mother of fish children,' reflecting her vast motherhood and reign over all living things. Often portrayed as a mermaid even in West Africa, she can visit all bodies of water but her home is rivers and streams, particularly the Ogun River. Yemọja is a leader among river deities such as Ọ̀ṣun, Erinlè̩, Ọbà, and Yewá, while Olókun is the sea deity.

Americas

In Brazil and Cuba, Yemọja is worshipped mainly as a sea or ocean deity, unlike her role as a river deity in West Africa. In Candomblé and Umbanda, Yemanjá is one of the seven Orixás, Queen of the Ocean, patron of fishermen and shipwreck survivors, feminine principle of creation, and spirit of moonlight. Her consecrated day is Saturday. Her colors are light blue and crystal; ritual garments are light blue, and necklaces are crystalline beads.

Her salutation is Odô-Iya, Erù-Iya, Odôfiaba. Symbols include shells and sea stones. She is syncretized with Our Lady of Navigators and Our Lady of the Conception in Brazil. Sacred objects placed in her pegi include dishes, porcelain, earthen basins, fruits such as obi and bitter kola nut, white jars or pitchers, white medals or coins.

Animal sacrifices on festival days include guinea fowl, ducks, hens, and she-goat, and must be thrown in the water. Offerings include angu, corn meal, lelé, obi, onion, rice, and white corn. In Salvador, Bahia, she is celebrated on February 2, the same day as Our Lady of Seafaring, with offerings of flowers and female vanity items taken to sea by fishermen, followed by a street party. In Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, on February 2, the image of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes is carried to the port, and Umbanda followers carry the image of Iemanjá in a syncretic meeting.

In popular culture

Yemoja appears as a playable character in the video game Smite, part of the Yoruba pantheon. In the fifth episode of the third season of American Gods, Bilquis is enlightened by Yemoja. In Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo, the character Earline is supposedly possessed by Yemanjá. Saxophonist Wayne Shorter recorded a track titled 'Yamanja' on his album Phantom Navigator (1987).

The Bobby Sanabria Big Band's song 'Olokun' on Afro-Cuban Dream: Live & In Clave!!! (2000) is dedicated to the violent aspect of Yemaya.

At Miss Universe 2016, Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach wore a national costume inspired by Yemayá. In the 2021 novel Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen, Yemoja is the creator of the Mami Wata. The song 'Think of You' by Ibeyi mentions Yemaya, and the song 'Yemaya' by Alfredo Rodriguez features Ibeyi.

In the 2021 play cullud wattah by Erika Dickerson-Despenza, character Reesee prays to Yemoja to bring clean water to Flint, Michigan.