Dia da Iemanjá no Brasil

E aí, gente? What’s up, guys?

On February 2nd we celebrate the dia (day) of Iemanjá, an African orixá – African divinized ancestors that correspond to manifestations of the forces of the natureza (nature) – associated with the rios (rivers) and mares (seas). Iemanjá is known to be the mãe (mother) of almost all orixás and represents fertility. She is revered by believers of several African matrix religions of, especially Candomblé and Umbanda.

Last Thursday, thousands of pessoas (people) went to the Brazilian coast to send offerings to the divinity, who is also called Rainha do Mar e Mãe d’água (Queen of the Sea and Mother of Water). Although Brazil is mostly a Catholic country, religiões (religions) originated in Africa have great expressiveness aqui (here), mainly in the northeastern region of the country. Afro-Brazilian religions derive from the period of slavery, which lasted from the sixteenth century until the mid-nineteenth century.

Current tradition começou (began) in the 1920s when a group of fishermen decided to offer presentes (gifts) to the “mother of the waters” with the expectation that she would solve the problem of fish shortages. Tradition grew and gained momentum in the 1930s. The date of the commemoration, however, was só (only) officialized in the 1950s, when sending the offerings came to be called the Festa de Iemanja (Yemanjá’s Party).

According to legend, Iemanjá is conhecida (known) for her vanity. Therefore, espelhos (mirrors), perfumes, flores (flowers), combs and necklaces are among the common gifts sent to the Queen of the sea on February 2nd (and also on December 31). Nowadays, flowers are more common to avoid environmental pollution, as the offerings are thrown into the ocean. In return, people hope to get good energies, protection to fishermen and plenty of fish. Many people also go to the praia (beach) to agradecer (say thank you).

The figure of Iemanjá is so strong in Brazilian culture that she has become an icon of popular culture. Going  beyond religious beliefs, she is represented in many cultural products, especially in literature and music. Get to know the música (song) Caminhos do Mar by Dorival Caymmi (sung by Gal Costa):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1BxTUUFYNc

Yemanja Odoiá Odoiá*

Yemanja Odoiá Odoiá

Rainha do mar

Queen of the Seas

Yamanja Odoiá Odoiá

Yamanja Odoiá Odoiá

Rainha do mar

Queen of the Seas

(Odoiá: a salute to Iemanjá)

 

O canto vinha de longe

The chant came from afar

De la do meio do mar

From the middle of the sea

Não era canto de gente

It was not people singing

Bonito de admirar

Nice to admire

 

O corpo todo estremece

The whole body trembles

Muda cor do céu do luar

Changing the colors of the sky and moonlight

 

Um dia ela ainda aparece

One day she might show up

É a rainha do mar

The queen of the seas

 

Yemanja Odoiá Odoiá

Yemanja Odoiá Odoiá

Rainha do mar

Queen of the Seas

Yamanja Odoiá Odoiá

Yamanja Odoiá Odoiá

Rainha do mar

Queen of the Seas

 

Quem ouve desde menino

He who has heard since childhood

Aprende a acreditar

Learns to believe

Que o vento sopra o destino

The wind blows destiny

Pelos caminhos do mar

Through the paths of the sea

 

O pescador que conhece

The fisherman who knows

as historias do lugar

The legends of the place

morre de medo e vontade

Fears to death but longs

de encontrar Yemanja

To find Yemanjá