Orishás

Orishá Yemanjá: The Mother of Waters and the Sea

INTRODUCTION TO ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ – THE MOTHER OF THE SEA AND OF ALL ORI

Let’s dive into the captivating realm of Orishá Yemanjá, a deity of profound significance in the Yoruba religion and its diasporic manifestations such as Candomblé, Santería, and Umbanda. Yemanjá, also known as Yemoja, Iemanjá, or Yemaya, is a goddess intertwined with the ocean’s mystique, embodying motherhood, fertility, and nurturing spirit. This comprehensive blog post offers an in-depth exploration of Yemanjá’s multifaceted roles, myths, and characteristics, unveiling her essence as the compassionate and protective Mother of Waters.

From her origins in Yoruba mythology to her revered status in various religious traditions, Yemanjá’s influence spans across oceans and cultures. We will journey through her ten key roles, delve into her symbolic representations, and discover the unique qualities and manifestations that make Orishá Yemanjá an enduring figure of worship and reverence. Whether you are a devout follower, a curious learner, or simply intrigued by the richness of Afro-Brazilian spirituality, this exploration promises a deeper understanding of Yemanjá’s powerful presence in the spiritual and cultural tapestry of her devotees. Join us as we celebrate and honor the Mother of Waters, Yemanjá, in all her glory.

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ROLES AND MYTHS OF ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ

Yemanjá (also known as Yemoja, Iemanjá, or Yemaya) is an Orishá in the Yoruba religion and its diasporic forms such as Candomblé and Santería. She is associated with the ocean, motherhood, fertility, and nurturing. Yemanjá is revered as a compassionate and protective deity, embodying the power and nurturing qualities of the ocean. Here are ten roles of Yemanjá in these traditions:

  • Goddess of the Ocean: Orishá Yemanjá is primarily known as the goddess of the ocean and all bodies of water. She embodies the vastness, power, and nurturing qualities of the sea. (Source: „The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts“ by Baba Ifa Karade)
  • Mother of All Orishás: Yemanjá is revered as the mother and protector of all other Orishás, the divine beings in Yoruba mythology. She represents the maternal nurturing and care that sustains life. (Source: „Yoruba Culture: A Philosophical Account“ by Kola Abimbola)
  • Goddess of Motherhood and Fertility: Orishá Yemanjá is associated with motherhood, fertility, and childbirth. She is invoked by women seeking assistance with conception, safe childbirth, and the well-being of their children. (Source: „Afro-Cuban Myths: Yemaya and Other Orishás“ by Natalia Bolívar Aróstegui)
  • Protector of Children: Yemanjá is regarded as a protector of children. She offers guidance, love, and nurturing to young ones, and is often called upon to ensure their well-being and safety. (Source: „Yoruba Art and Language: Seeking the African in African Art“ by Rowland Abiodun)
  • Goddess of Love and Relationships: Orishá Yemanjá is associated with love, romance, and harmonious relationships. She is sought after for blessings and guidance in matters of love, marriage, and family life. (Source: „Santería: Correcting the Myths and Uncovering the Realities of a Growing Religion“ by Mary Ann Clark)
  • Healer and Protector against Illness: Yemanjá possesses healing abilities and is called upon to cure physical and emotional ailments. She provides protection against illnesses and promotes overall well-being. (Source: „The Yoruba Religious System“ by Mercedes Cros Sandoval)
  • Goddess of Divination: Yemanjá is associated with divination and is known for her wisdom and guidance. She aids in providing insights, solutions, and spiritual guidance through divinatory practices. (Source: „Osun Across the Waters: A Yoruba Goddess in Africa and Americas“ by Joseph M. Murphy)
  • Patron of Fishermen and Seafarers: Yemanjá is revered by fishermen and those who make their living from the sea. They seek her blessings for a bountiful catch, protection at sea, and safe journeys. (Source: „The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts“ by Baba Ifa Karade)
  • Symbol of Compassion and Empathy: Orishá Yemanjá embodies compassion, empathy, and understanding. She offers solace and support to those in need, providing comfort and healing. (Source: „Afro-Cuban Myths: Yemaya and Other Orishás“ by Natalia Bolívar Aróstegui)
  • Goddess of Transformation and Adaptation: Yemanjá represents the ability to navigate life’s changes and challenges. She teaches adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity. (Source: „Yoruba Culture: A Philosophical Account“ by Kola Abimbola)

The roles of Yemanjá can vary among different communities and religious traditions, reflecting the diverse ways in which this Orishá is understood and revered.

DESCRIPTION OF ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ

Characteristics

SymbolSilvered Abebé (Fan with Mirror), Waning Moon, Waves, Fish, Fans made of White Metal
ColorsCrystal Colors (Sometimes White, Light Blue, Light Green, and Pale Pink)
Natural PlacesSea, Solitary Beaches, Unwooded Hills, Fields, Mountains, etc.
FlowersWhite Lilies and all White Flowers, preferably Thornless Roses
EssencesAloe, Musk, Lily, Benzoin, Field Flowers, Orange Blossoms, Jasmine, White Rose, Orchid, Chrysanthemum
StonesDiamond, Rock Crystal, White Pearls, Aquamarine
MetalSilver (In some cases: Platinum, White Gold)
HealthPsyche, Nervous System
PlanetMoon
WeekdaySaturday
ElementSea Water, Freshwater flowing into the Sea
Chakra?
GreetingOdô fê iyabá (Odà te iyâbâ: „Beloved Mother of the River“ or „The River Loves the Mother“); Odô iyá (Odõ iyá) („Mother of the River“); Omi ô („Greetings to the Waters“)
DrinkMineral Water or Sweet White or Red Wine
InstrumentsOpásoró (Scepter)
Animals / OfferingsDuck, Goat, Ram, Chicken, Dove or Guinea Fowl
PlantsBasil, Tansy, Piperaceae, Rama-de-Leite, Olhos de Santa Luzia, Bauhinia forficata, Cecropia hololeuca, Round-leaved Mint
OfferingsAkasa, White Corn, Obi, Orogbo, Fish, Rice, Shrimp with Coconut
DrinksChampagne, White Wine, Aruá
FoodsWhite Pudding, Acaçá, Saltwater Fish, Rice Balls, Ebôya (Bean Dish), Ebô (Cooked White Corn), and various types of Dumplings (Rice, Yam, Cassava, etc.), Watermelon, White Cocada (Coconut Sweet), Papaya
Number4
Commemoration DayFebruary 2nd
Ruling OduYorosun
DomainsMotherhood (Upbringing), Mental and Psychological Health
SyncretismSaints of Candeias, Saint Glória, Saints of Mariners
ManifestationsIemowo, Iamassê, Iewa, Olossa, Ogunté Assabá, Assessu/Sessu, Sobá, Tuman, Ataramogba/Atamaragbá, Masemale, Awoió, Kayala, Maabô/Marabô, Inaiê, Aynu, Susure, Iyaku, Acurá, Maialeuó, Conlá, Ayió, Ayrá, Awoyô
Incompatibilities (Kizila)Seafood, Scaleless Fish, Dogs, Melon
TitleMother of Waters, Queen, Mistress of the Great Breasts

Yemanjá: The Majestic Queen of the Sea

Yemanjá, also known as Iemanjá, Janaína, Queen of the Sea, Aiucá, Dona Janaína, Inaê, or Maria Princess of Aioká, is an enchanting figure in African and Afro-Brazilian religions. She embodies the maternal spirit of the sea, sustaining and nurturing all life with her vast, oceanic embrace.

Origins and Mythology

Yemanjá’s origins are deeply rooted in Yoruba mythology. Born in Abeokuta, a city in Nigeria, she is the daughter of Olokun, the Lord of the Sea. In Yoruba lore, Yemanjá and Olokun are both hailed from the Egbá tribe, with Yemanjá revered as Odò Ìyá, the ‚River Mother‘. She is celebrated across Brazil, with devotees offering flowers, perfumes, and jewelry to honor her.

The Mother of Humanity and Orishás

In African belief, Orishá Yemanjá is the daughter of the wealthy goddess Olokun and was once married to Orunmila, the lord of divination, and later to Olofim, king of Ifé. With Olofim, she bore ten children, who are considered to be Orishás themselves, indicating her status as the mother of deities.

Yemanjá’s Flight and Marriage

Tired of her life in Ifé, Orishá Yemanjá fled to Abeokuta. During her escape, she used a magical flask given by her mother to create a river that carried her to safety. This event symbolizes her strong connection to water and her indomitable spirit. Yemanjá’s marriage to Oshalá signifies the union of the sky and sea, further reinforcing her role as a nurturing, life-giving force.

Symbolism and Celebrations

Orishá Yemanjá is often depicted as a robust matron with large breasts, symbolizing fertility and motherhood. Celebrated for her beauty and maternal qualities, she is also associated with rivers and agriculture, particularly the yam harvest. Her festivals are marked by joyous celebrations near bodies of water, where her followers gather to pay homage to their nurturing mother.

Role in Human Life and Nature

Yemanjá’s influence extends to the protection of families, newborns, and fishermen. She is seen as the goddess who provides sustenance from the sea, controls the tides, and rules over all marine life. Her character embodies the qualities of calmness and ferocity, much like the sea she represents.

The Mirror of the World

As a mother figure, Orishá Yemanjá is the mirror reflecting the diversity of the world. She guides, educates, and recognizes the potential in each individual. Her story teaches that the greatest battles are often against one’s own self.

Incest and Creation of Rivers

A darker aspect of her mythology involves incest with her son Orugan, leading to the birth of several Orishás and the creation of the world’s rivers. This story highlights the intertwining of life and death, joy and sorrow, in Yemanjá’s narrative.

The Emotional Core of Yemanjá

Orishá Yemanjá is known for her emotional depth, often using emotional blackmail to keep her children close. She symbolizes the maternal instinct focused not just on birth but on the nurturing and upbringing of children.

Yemanjá and Other Orishás

Her relationships with other Orishás, such as Shangô, Obaluayê, and Oshun, showcase her role as a mediator, healer, and protector. She is particularly close to Omolu, whom she nurtures and transforms into a great warrior, demonstrating her ability to see beyond the physical flaws and recognize the true potential of her children.

Conclusion: The Great Mother of All

Yemanjá’s story is a powerful reminder of the maternal energy that sustains and nourishes life. As the Queen of the Sea, she represents the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth, a symbol of resilience, love, and the indomitable spirit of motherhood.

ASPECTS, QUALITIES, ARCHETYPES OF ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ

Some say that there are seven manifestations of Orishá Yemanjá, all stemming from Olokun, the sea. According to the Òyó tradition, Oranian united with Ìyá Massê and had the children Dadá and Shango with her. The young Yemanjá Sabá married Orunmilá, and from this union, a boy with a mark resembling the seed of the palm (Akin) appeared on his forehead, who became known as the god of divination in Ifá. Ìya Ogunteé is married to Ogum Alagbede. Yemowó is the wife of Oshalá; Yewá is the goddess of the river of the same name; Ìyá Asesú is very independent and respectable, and Oloshá corresponds to the African lagoon where multiple rivers flow into.

Indeed, there are numerous manifestations of Yemanjá: Iemowo, Iamassê, Iewa, Olossa, Ogunté Assabá, Assessu, Sobá, Tuman, A-taramogba, Masemale, Awoió, Kayala, Marabô, Inaiê, Aynu, Susure, Iyaku, Acurá, Maialeuó, Conlá, etc. Sometimes she appears as an old woman, sometimes as young; sometimes she is calm, other times temperamental. That is Yemanjá. In her pantheon, there are different deities with distinct personalities, traits, preferences, and forms of worship. Here are just a few:

  • Akurá (Acurá) – A joyful, graceful, and charming deity who loves to dance. She dedicates herself to the well-being and health of children, protecting them from death. Due to her interaction with the Ibejis (twin gods) and young children, she is the companion of Oshun. She dislikes invocations and prefers to focus on healing the sick, utilizing the powers of Omolu and Ossaim, both of whom also aid humans in living a healthy life. Those who have health issues call upon her. This Yemanjá is very charitable and connected to children and the sick, as she is the goddess of medicine. Her energy resides in the foam of the sea, and she is associated with seaweed that covers her hair. She is not very vain, but she is close to Oshun because of her connection to children and being one of the goddesses representing the union of sweet and salty waters. She is not a friend of spells. As the protector of children, she is mythically considered one of the goddesses mentioned as the mother of the Ibejis. She wears apricot-white clothing, a few pearls, or green adornments. Her Fios de Conta are made of translucent crystal. She carries a baby. Associated Orishás: Ibeji, Nanã, Omolu, Ossaim, Oshun Mouwô.
  • Assaba – She limps and continuously spins cotton. She has a gaze that is hard to withstand. She is very proud and only listens to someone while turning her back or at least slightly showing her profile. She is dangerous and independent. She wears a silver ankle chain. She was the wife of Orunmilá, who respectfully accepted her advice.
  • Ataramabá (Iyaku) – A very vain Yemanjá associated with the sweet waters of rivers. She wears light blue, gold, and white. Her threads are made of translucent crystal, and she carries a baby. She is connected to Oshun.
  • Auoiô or Toió (Awoyà, Awoyô) – The oldest of all Yemanjás, she resides at the bottom of the sea and is the owner of the riches of Oloku. The most vain and feminine of all – it is said that this Yemanjá likes to wear seven skirts to give more volume to her movements, resembling the waves of the sea. She enjoys being well-dressed and covered in jewelry. She uses Olokum’s ornaments: beads, shells, cowrie shells, mother-of-pearl, and the rays of the rainbow to adorn her head. She dresses in white because she has a connection with Oríxalá and Oshaguian. She is revered in the festivities of „Oshaguians‘ yam root.“ She is very feminine and has a preference for ornaments. She moves with wave-like gestures. Myths tell that she is crowned with the rainbow of Oshunarê, such is her wealth. She wears seven white skirts, one over the other, to give ample volume. She wears pearl jewelry, silver lampshade with mirrors. Her beads are made of translucent crystal. Associated Orishás: Nanã, Oshaguian, Oshunarê, and Olokun.
  • Maleleô, Emaleô, or Maleô – One of the oldest Yemanjás. Proud, serious, and with a reserved countenance. She resides in solitude in the heart of the jungle, in dense forests, wells, lagoons, and lakes. She is closely intertwined with Oshóssi, Ossaim, and Logunedé, learning from them and teaching them the use and power of leaves for spells and invocations, as she belongs to the group of Eleyés. As a powerful sorceress, she also allies with Oshun. The sorceress Yemanjá is connected to the sources and wells of the forests. In the forests, she is close to the birds and the secret of herbs. She wears white or light blue clothing; her beads are translucent blue. She carries the Abo. Related deities: Ossaim, Odé, Oshun Ikolé, and Iyami-Oxorongá.
  • Iyamassê – She is the mythical mother of Shango and the adoptive mother of Omolu (and according to some myths, Oshunarê as well). She wears milky white beads streaked with red and blue. Associated Orishás: Shangô, Omolu, and Oshunarê.
  • Konlá – Another quality of Yemanjá associated with sea foam and heavy surf. She is also connected to coral reefs. She wears white and navy blue, translucent crystal beads, and Abebê. Associated Orishás: Yemanjá Ataramobá and Olokun.
  • Odô, Iyá Odo – Yemanjá is connected to rivers and their banks and is very feminine and vain. Related deities: Oshun and Odé.
  • Ogunté – She is the „warrior of Olokum.“ She is a warrior and tireless Amazon, very fierce and with a violent temperament. She is fierce and always ready to engage in any war, especially when it concerns her children. She is connected to Oshóssi and in some Itans (Ifá verses), the companion of Ogum Alabedé, the „warrior of Obatalá,“ with whom she receives her gifts. She rules over the sea, rivers, lagoons, and also the mountains, as she loves secluded forests and enjoys being on mountaintops from where she can admire the ocean. She is also the „Lady of Corals and Mother-of-Pearl.“ According to legends, this pair is considered the parents of one of the deities from Oshaguian’s pantheon, the war Orishá from the family of Oshalá. Ogunté uses the colors green and a very light, almost translucent blue for her clothing and jewelry. Yemanjá Ogunté is married to Ògún Alagbedé. She is a formidable Amazon who carries a machete and other iron tools forged by Ogum, especially a sword as a weapon. Due to her connection to Ogum, she is known as the Lady of the Sword. She dislikes duck but loves lamb. She is the Yemanjá of rocky beaches and the violence of the ocean waters. She is the mythical wife of Ogum Alabedé and the mother of Ogum Akorô, Odé, and Oshaguian. She wears white and navy blue, has a silver sword, Ogum’s tools around her waist, and green and translucent (alternating) crystal threads. Associated Orishás: Ogum, Odé, and Oshaguian.
  • Olokum, Iyá Olokum – One of the older Yemanjás; she uses the color white and is associated with the creation Orishás.
  • Olossá, Oloshá – An old Yemanjá associated with lagoons and also with wealth. She is a deity who resides on the shores of lakes and lagoons and where rivers and the sea meet, at their deepest points (Ibu). She only leaves her lagoon to meet with the Lord of the Sea, Olokum; together they form the parental couple Babá Ajê Salugá. She is very benevolent towards fishermen, protecting them and helping them to have a bountiful catch at sea. Olossa is a lagoon in Africa where the Yewa and Ògún rivers merge. She wears pale green garments and crystal beads. Associated Orishás: Ajé Salugá, Nanã, and Oshun.
  • Oyó – When invoked during Ipadê, Yemanjá is highly beneficent and associated with charity and donations. She wears white, pink, and light blue.
  • Sabá (or Sobá, or Assabá) – Yemanjá associated with destiny and divination. She is a quality connected to wisdom and foresight. She is associated with the Funfun and is considered a cotton spinner, suitable for love magic (amarrações). It is said that she mostly listens to her children/devotees with her back turned to them. She wears water-green. She wears a silver ankle chain and a silver Abé. Her Fio de Conta contains translucent crystal beads. She adorns herself with silver bracelets. Associated Orishás: Orunmilá, Ayrá, and Oshalás.
  • Sessu or Assessu – „The Lady of the murky waters.“ She is a highly feared deity associated with the Axexê (pronounced: Asheshe)ritual and Iku – death – and is related to Obaluayê and Nanã. She resides in the deepest, darkest, and coldest parts of rivers and seas and is referred to as the „Messenger of Olokum.“ She is introspective, gloomy, methodical, and patient, known for the slowness with which she fulfills the requests of her children and followers. She has a close connection with Ogum, whom she pacifies when he is angry. Although she is associated with very cold waters and tranquility, this Yemanjá receives her offerings together with Ogum, showcasing the connection between lethargy and movement. Yemanjá Assessú is very independent and respectable. She resides in turbulent waters. She is very serious and enjoys eating duck. She takes a long time before responding to the requests of her followers. She forgets what they have asked for and meticulously counts the feathers of the ducks offered as sacrifices. If she miscounts, she starts over, and this process can take forever. She is associated with the concept of gestation and the mysteries of death and rebirth and is revered in the Axexê (pronounced: Asheshe)ritual. She is very slow and old, renowned for responding to the requests of her children only with delay. Although she is slow, she has a strong relationship with Ogum. She wears green (or water-green) and white. Her beads are made of water-green crystal. Associated Orishás: Ogum, Omolu, Nanã, and Oshun.
  • Sobá or Sabá (Iyásabá) – Proud, independent, and dangerous. She is the eldest of all and the companion of Orunmilá. Due to her connection with the Lord of Wisdom and Destiny, her children have the gift of a highly perceptive mind and interpreting the game of Buzios (Merindilogun). When they want to, they can be great observers. She continuously spins cotton.
  • Yamassê – The mother of Shangô.
  • Yemowô – In Africa, she is the wife of Oshalá.
  • Ynaé (or Malelé or Marabô) – She is one of the mothers of fish and has a close relationship with these animals. She is associated with Oshun.

As she governs over various qualities of water, Yemanjá is connected to different Orishás that belong to elements near her own. Her connection is pronounced with a quality of Ogum, Oshóssi, Iroko, or Ossaim, which live in forests near the sea. Also, where it forms bays, with water colored green by the reflection of foliage. In open sea, the water is light blue at less deep areas, which associates Yemanjá with a deity from the Orishálás pantheon. In bays near mineral or volcanic rocks, the water is dark. And in these places, Yemanjá is connected to a manifestation of Ogum, Shangô, and Eshus. Yemanjá is intertwined and connected with all other Orishás. Apart from the Orishás whose mother is Nanan, it is said that she is the mother of all Orishás.

Yemanjá shares with Oshun the rulership of motherhood, but she is not the mother of children, rather of youths and adults who already have their own personalities. Her role is that of a guiding mother. She is a mother and a wife. Yemanjá’s main task is to take care of the family. She promotes domestic peace and emphasizes the necessity of respecting and loving parents and, above all, listening to them. Being a good child is the only guarantee of having good children oneself – that is why Yemanjá is welcomed into the home and life.

The Cuban paths and qualities of Yemaya

  • Yemaya Akere – The Araras call her Humero. This Yemaya is the servant of Olokun, she is the bullfrog. She lives in the deepest parts of the ocean. The shrine carries a clay doll, tortoiseshell, an arrow, a small boat, and she receives a small fish called sole, inside of which there are seven colorful balls and a sword. The crown receives a shark, and hanging from it are: a doll, two oars, seven seahorses in between, seven snakes and seven swords in between, an oar. The necklace is blue, green, and crystal-colored.
  • Yemaya Akuara – The healing Yemaya, the one of both waters, sweet and salty. She is joyful and loves to dance.
  • Yemaya Asesu – Her name means „The Forgetful One,“ born in the Odu Irete Di. This Yemaya reaches her full power in the Odun Otura Wori. The Araras call her Weijosu. She is the inseparable daughter and messenger of Olokun; she possesses great power, achieving everything with Olokun, breaking all the bonds that connected her to the earth. She is forgetful like a duck; her shrine carries an Osun with the figure of a duck instead of a rooster. This duck symbolizes the victory of Asesu over her enemies. This Yemaya is the owner of ducks, geese, and swans. Her necklace is light blue. She carries a small drum, a handle/ring (manilla), a whirlpool. The shrine consists of a basin filled with sand, surrounded by plates. The vessel is placed in the center.
  • Yemaya Ashaba or Ayaba – The Araras call her Ewa Huga. She is the eldest of all Yemaya. She is the first daughter of Olokun, born in the Odu Ika Meyi. In the Odun Osa Kuleya, she is called „The Captain of the Boat.“ She is the owner of boats. She is the most respected type of Yemaya, known as the little mermaid. She is intelligent, wilful, and dangerous. Her spells (amarrações) are never undone. She represents a woman of faith. This Yemaya eats duck in a special way. A basin of seawater with indigo is placed beside her, and there she receives the duck’s eyeballs, which are skinned, roasted, and their innards are placed on the shrine. The necklace is light blue and cocoa-colored. The shrine is located in a Greek-type amphora. Above the amphora is a crossed chain, which carries additional offerings: fishing hooks, a mermaid, three clay dolls, an arrow, a dragon, a whirlpool, a sword, a horse, a machete, and multi-colored balls. Next to the amphora, a boat rope is placed, held in the colors blue, green, yellow, red, and white. When Ashaba’s devotees are in trouble, they offer a white rooster at the shore where there is a bridge or a pier. The Osain is equipped with reef and seashells. She eats duck together with Ogún in the manner described above, but the blood is poured directly into Ogún’s shrine. Her full name is: Yemaya Ashaba Ogún Fasoggun Aralotoye Ishoro Oddun.
  • Yemaya Ataremawa or Atarawa – Her name means „The Ever Important One.“ This Yemaya lives with Ayalua; she was born in the Odu Otura Niko. The Arara call her Tofodun. This path is connected to the treasures of the sea. She is the owner of the sea’s treasures and resides in her soup tureen in a chest or box surrounded by clothes, shells, oysters, a pearl necklace, two metal mirrors, and she carries a saber, a compass, a coin, and a key. Her crown is adorned with a key, and hanging from it are seven handles, a crescent moon, a sun, a small tree trunk, two oars, two edans, a saber, a compass, a key, a pickaxe, a shovel, two mirrors. This crown has pearls on the anchoring points. Her necklace is light blue, cocoa-colored, and coral red. She is the gatekeeper of the forest, living in the depths of the sea forests. Her Osain is carried with a majagua doll dressed in white and she eats dove. This Yemaya has yellow skin and Prussian blue hair. The preferred offering for her is Zapote (a fruit). She eats goat with Ogún. She is always dressed in white.
  • Yemaya Awoyo – Expansion and wealth in its entirety. She is the oldest and the richest of the Yemaya.
  • Yemaya Ibu Agana – Her name means „The Angry or The Mad One.“ The Araras call her Agwalaru. This Yemaya is the one who makes it rain. She was the wife of Orishá Oko, the deity of agriculture. She is very beautiful but has seven eggs in her belly, and one leg is thinner than the other. She lives in the depths of the sea. She is the favorite daughter of Olofin and the wife of Olokun. She does not live on the surface; she resides in the abyss of the seabed. This Yemaya sank Atlantis. She works together with Oroiña and also lives in the reefs and shells and sixteen fans of the sea. She should never be without a Canutillo (a tool for embroidery). The shrine receives a handle (manilla), a triangle, an anchor, an oar, a ship, and inside, a stone with an engraved face. The crown is completed with a triangle. It is adorned with seven shells, a trident, seven handles, two oars, an anchor, a dummy, and two edans. Her necklace is Prussian blue, coral, and water-colored. The shrine carries a doll with seven balls on its belly, one leg thinner than the other, with two small pitchers on its head filled with lerí de Egun, lerí de eledé, obí, kolá, osun, airá, obí edún. Her necklace is also blue, red, and green. 
    • Lerí de Egun – Egun’s head cover
    • Lerí de eledé – Eledé’s head cover
    • Obí – kola nut
    • Kolá – bitter kola
    • Osun – camwood
    • Airá – palm oil
    • Obí edún – coconut
  • Yemaya Ibu Akinomi – Her name means „She who, when brave, makes everyone tremble.“ The Araras call her Zadike. She lives at the crest of the waves. The shrine carries a sailboat, a mermaid, a crescent moon, a seahorse, a whale, a buoy, a rowboat. The crown receives a buoy, seven handles, two oars, two edans, a boat, a mermaid, a crescent moon, a sun, a star, a flower, a fan, a sword, and an axe. The necklace consists of seven Prussian blue, seven light blue, seven green, and seven water-colored beads, until the appropriate length is reached.
  • Yemaya Ibu Alaro – This Yemaya is the owner of indigo. She carries a star in her Irawó, and her jug stands on a tile with seven colors representing Kuinkolode. She carries seven tiles and seven sabers. The incomparable and powerful mistress of death and life. The queen of the ocean.
  • Yemaya Ibu Elowo – This Yemaya is the owner of the wealth of the sea depths. Her Otá stones are placed in the tureen with water, and her shell trumpet is placed in a chest with 75 needles, but no water can enter.
  • Yemaya Ibu Gunle – Her name means „Sediment of the Sea,“ she is the sea of the shore, living on a piece of reef. The Araras call her Kedike. This Yemaya comes from the land of Iyesa. She is given shells, sand, reef stones, two long oars, a small fishing net, a saber, and a small boat. She is the mother of Ondina, the whale. A piece of reef is placed on her. On her crown, there is a crowned whale, seven handles, two oars, two edans, a fan, a harpoon, a hook, a saber, a small boat, a compass, a shell, a mirror, a whale, and a mask. Her necklace is dark blue and water-colored.
  • Yemaya Ibu Iña – The Araras call her Meñani. This Yemaya is the one of disputes, she is greedy and arrogant, she is the mother of Oshosi and Inle, she eats snapper and goat, she carries an Oshosi and a small fish, a snake, a staff, a hat lined with seven snail hands. The crown is adorned with an earthly sphere, seven handles, seven hooks, two oars, two edans, an Oshosi, a snapper. The necklace consists of seven Prussian blue stones, seven seashells, seven cocoa beans, and amber.
  • Yemaya Ibu Konla – Her orikí is „She who builds ships.“ The Araras call her Kwehoto. She is the Yemaya who lives in the foam of the propellers. She is a poet and writer and gets entangled in flax and seaweed. She receives a feather, paper, inkwell, and compass. Her crown is adorned with a flag, and hanging from it are: seven handles, two oars, two edans, a chair, a quill, an inkwell, parchment paper, a fan, a boat, a double axe, a male key, and a hand. Her necklace is formed by seven Prussian blue and seven cocoa-colored beads, until the appropriate length is reached.
  • Yemaya Ibu Nodo – This Yemaya lives in the rivers. She wears Ogún’s chain with 67 pieces. She enjoys eating quails, and an arrow is placed in the shrine. Her Osain stands on a seashell. She is a very good and beautiful woman.
  • Yemaya Ibu Okoto – Her name means „She who lives among the shells.“ The Araras call her Dokuno, „the great Amazon.“ She owns the shells. She is the sea of blood. She oversees sea battles, residing in a jug with seashells (shrine), which receives a piece of a shipwreck lined with seven hands full of shells, as well as a saber, a pirate flag, a spear, and a dagger. Her necklace is Prussian blue, adorned with seashells and crystals. This Yemaya is a young woman, but she did everything that men did. So, it is not possible to know exactly whether she is male or female.
  • Yemaya Ibu Oleyo – This Yemaya is the sister of Ibú Okoto, the Queen of Tragedy and Arguments. Arrogant and courageous. She comes from the land of Ayetaro. She eats quails, lives in a jug, which contains 21 shells, and a curved saber is placed on top of the jug, with a boat where the Osain is placed.
  • Yemaya Ibu Tinibu, Trinibu – This Yemaya is the revered sea. She lives in the shells and watches over battles. The Araras call her Asiasinami. She resides in a jug and is adorned with shells, an oar, an ellipse, a small boat, and a pelican. Her crown is decorated with a whirlpool, a heart, an anchor, a pelican, seven handles, seven oars, two edans (bronze statuette that unites the cults of Yami and Onile as the great mothers), and a saber. The necklace is formed by seven Prussian blue, seven sky-blue, and seven cocoa-colored beads until the desired length is achieved.
  • Yemayá Ibu Yabani – This path lives with Borosia. She carries her secret (shrine) in a wooden skull adorned with lerí from ekue-kueye, lerí from Egun, palo moruro, root of iroko, eró, obí, kolá, edún, airá. She also carries two Akofá (metal arrow and bow) lined with seashells, hanging from a chain attached to the shrine.
  • Yemayá Lokún Nipa – She who possesses the power of the sea.
  • Yemayá Mayelewo, Okunjima – She was born in Ogbetua ni lara. Her name means „One who is interested in money and commerce.“ This Yemayá awakened the relationships between people through trade. She helps when people face economic difficulties, especially of a financial nature. She is the beloved daughter of Burumu. She resides in the middle of the sea, the seven currents of the sea. She gazes from the center and is a merchant. This Yemayá is the one who differentiates each Orishá with the image sent by Olofin. She resides at the entrance of the bay and was the one who dyed the water blue with the help of Asesu. She wears a mask and carries a small osun. She also places a guiro for Osain. Her shrine also contains a chain with seven fishing hooks due to a myth involving a contract with three fishermen. Her necklace consists of seven light blue beads, seven red and white striped beads, seven pink beads, and seven aqua-colored beads, until the appropriate length is reached.
  • Yemayá Oggún Asomi – She resides on the surface of the sea and fights alongside Oggún and Shangó, the king of fire.
  • Yemayá Oggun Ayipo –
  • Yemayá Ogún Asomi – This Yemayá is the sister of Okunte and is also a warrior. She resides on the surface of the sea, carrying two machetes and loving the swamps. She often resides in Arará land and is a companion of Azowanu (Babalu Aye). She drinks liquor and smokes tobacco, carrying an axe and a mask.
  • Yemayá Ogún Ayipo – She resides both in the river and the sea, waging war with Ogún, the owner of the mountain. Her shrine is in a vessel lined with Mariwó. It is said that she has large breasts. She lives on the sand. Her Osain stands on a small chestnut-colored wooden table, painted red and black. She is the one who gives birth to mature women, carrying nine curved machetes. She is a warrior and the sister of Okunte.
  • Yemayá Okunte, Okute Odofe Iyagba – The beloved mistress of the river. She was born in the Odu Okana Gio. The Arará call her Akadume. This Yemayá is a warrior and a helper of Ogún. She is often mistakenly called Okute, but her real name is Okunte, which means „the brave one.“ She is the gatekeeper of Olokun. Strict and fierce, she tolerates no misconduct. Her full name is Yemayá Okunte Ogumasomi. She is the Yemayá who stepped into the sea of pride and resides within it. She eats rooster together with Ogún. She never eats duck, and her colors are light blue, cocoa, and pink. Her Osain (shrine) is carried on a shell. The Adimu (offering) receives a lot of ice.
  • Yemayá Oro – This Yemayá is mysterious. The Arará call her Kusuwu. She resides among the dead, and her Oriki (name) means „The Siren/Mermaid who sings.“ She is the one who moves and awakens the Eguns. Her favorite trees are poplar and cypress. She resides between curtains. Her shrine includes a mask, a saber, a lyre, a mermaid, four seashells, four plates, a doll made of cypress wood, all adorned with modun modun lerí from egungun, ashorí (octopus), eYaôro, isale from oddan and cypress, añarí odó, añarí okún, eró, obí, kolá, osun, obí motiwao, airá, obí edún. The crown is decorated with a scallop shell, two oars with inlaid handles, nine connected bells, a plate, a scallop shell, an anchor, a sun, a moon, a machete, and a compass. Her necklace is dark blue, Jet (Azabache), and crystal.
  • Yemaya Yabani – Resides in the whirlwinds and whirlpools of the sea.
  • Yemayá Yamase – In this path, she is the mother of Shangó. Her shrine is in a bowl. She wears a crown made of Rauschmuscheln, where Osain is also placed. She carries seven axes, and seven candles are lit. Inside the bowl, she receives lerí from Egun.
  • Yemayá Yemú or Yembó – This is the path of Yemayá that grants the calm sea. She reflects as the female Oduduwa, and here the true crown of Yemayá is born.

Note about the Edan as an artifact of the shrine: The Edan statuettes made of a copper alloy are insignia of two important traditional Yoruba institutions: the Gueledé association (often represented by masks) and the Ogboni association. These objects are associated with spiritual beings (Iyami and Onilé) who, according to cosmogony, are the great ancestral mothers of humanity. In Brazil, these additions are rarely used because the cults have not been maintained.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVOTEES INITIATED IN ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ (CHILDREN OF YEMANJÁ)

Orishá Yemanjá, the Orishá revered in various Afro-Brazilian religions, imparts a distinct set of characteristics to her children, who are known for their strong-willed, caring, and protective nature.

Archetype of Yemanjá’s Children: A Blend of Strength and Nurturance

Children of Orishá Yemanjá are known for their strong will, rigorous approach to life, and protective instincts. They are ingeniously friendly, often shy about their appearance, especially their hair, and exude a sense of pride and temperamental flair. Like the sea, they can sometimes be stormy and imperious, harboring a deep-seated fear of the ocean.

The Maternal and Composed Nature

Sons and daughters of Orishá Yemanjá are composed and motherly, aiding everyone unconditionally. They have a strong affinity for order, hierarchy, and discipline. Despite their generally trusting and calm demeanor, they can become as unpredictable as the sea waves when angered. Yemanjá’s daughters, akin to mermaids, possess a seductive charm, yet often face challenges in conceiving children, as they already perceive themselves as universal mothers.

Lifestyle and Relationships

These individuals test their friendships and do not forgive offenses easily, and even if they do, they seldom forget. While they may not be as vain as Oshun’s children, they still appreciate luxury and expensive possessions, often living a life of opulence beyond their means.

Empathetic and Rigorous

Yemanjá’s children take others‘ problems to heart, embodying strength, determination, and a preference for a luxurious and exquisite environment. While maternal in their care, they may not always keep secrets, leading to partial trust issues. They can exaggerate truths and emotionally manipulate, yet their physicality often tends toward obesity or imbalance, with specific traits like large breasts and smaller buttocks in women.

Expectations and Behavior

These children treat others with a sense of dependency on their care and expect similar treatment in return. They value order and hierarchy, becoming unstable and upset if their will is not fulfilled. While generally generous, they can also be deceptive, with an open smile masking their true intentions.

The Role of Protector and Nurturer

Yemanjá’s sons and daughters exude a protective aura, taking care of their wards with love. They are usually calm and composed, with a refined taste in clothing and an intolerance for lies. They become aggressive when insulted, with their behavior influenced by their secondary Orishá.

Jealousy and Possessiveness

A significant trait of Yemanjá’s children is their intense jealousy, especially towards things and people under their care. They enjoy sophisticated living environments and have a penchant for luxury, striking fabrics, and fine perfumes.

Social Dynamics and Traits

Strength, determination, and a formal approach to friendship define Yemanjá’s children. They are not overly ambitious but deeply value sincerity and hierarchy. Devotees of Yemanjá are slow to trust but fiercely loyal once trust is established. They can harbor bitterness and dwell on past issues, never truly forgetting them.

Conclusion: The Complex Nature of Yemanjá’s Children

Orishá Yemanjá’s children are a complex mix of majesty, beauty, composure, fertility, dignity, and fascination. They are excellent homemakers and educators, raising not just their children but also those of others. Their possessiveness and jealousy are matched by their immense care and respect for their families. In larger families, there is always a child of Yemanjá, ready to solve problems and bring joy, often excelling as psychologists.

This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the children of Yemanjá, highlighting their unique traits and the influence of their divine matriarch in their lives.

CONCLUSION

As our exploration of the enchanting world of Orishá Yemanjá comes to a close, I hope you feel as enriched and moved by her story as I am. Yemanjá’s tales are more than just myths; they are a testament to the enduring power and relevance of cultural spirituality in our lives. Her essence reminds us of the beauty in nurturing, protecting, and embracing the maternal energies that surround and dwell within us.

To continue this spiritual journey and delve deeper into the fascinating world of Yoruba religion and its diaspora, I warmly invite you to subscribe to my newsletter at Daily IFA. Here, you’ll receive regular insights, stories, and updates that will further enrich your understanding and connection to these ancient traditions.

Additionally, if my journey through Yemanjá’s world has sparked your interest, I encourage you to read my books, which delve even deeper into these subjects. They are available on Amazon in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French, offering a multicultural perspective on these rich traditions.

Lastly, don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram at @daily_Ifa_orisha. It’s a vibrant community where we celebrate and honor the Orishás daily, and I would love for you to be a part of it.

Thank you for accompanying me on this enlightening journey. May the blessings of Yemanjá, the Mother of Waters, be with you always, nurturing and guiding your path. Until we meet again, stay connected, stay curious, and continue to explore the profound depths of our spiritual heritage.

Asè ó.

SOME GOOD READS ABOUT ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ

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