The Presence of the Marinheiros in Umbanda
Like the tide that sometimes kisses the shore with gentle waves and other times crashes in with the force of a storm, the presence of the Marinheiros in Umbanda carries both softness and intensity. They arrive swaying, laughing, and dancing—mirroring the carefree joy of sailors ashore. Yet beneath this lightness, they stir emotional tides and spiritual awakenings. In a gira (Umbanda ritual gathering), their healing presence flows deep into the heart, reaching the soul’s hidden waters and revealing what lies below.
Relaxed and smiling, even playful at times, Marinheiros and Marinheiras (male and female sailors) radiate a natural charm. But behind every shared drink, joke, or embrace is the depth of lived experience. They guide us through life’s waters, navigating not only external currents but the vast emotional seas within.
The Origin and Identity of the Marinheiros
Who Are the Marinheiros in Umbanda?
In Portuguese, Marinheiro means “sailor.” In the spiritual practices of Umbanda, the term goes beyond maritime profession. The Linha dos Marinheiros includes spirits of men and women who lived from and for the waters—both salt and sweet.
These spirits include fisherfolk, boat captains, civil sailors, and navy personnel of all ranks and genders. As part of the Povo d’Água (Water Folk), they embody the mysteries, healing power, and emotional force of aquatic life.
Their Way of Being
Adventurous, romantic, and resilient, these spirits carry the rhythm of waves and the laughter of port life. Many are extroverted and joyful, yet they remain attuned to emotional nuance.
Some arrive in silence, with a more serious or introspective demeanor. Like the sea, their energy ranges from surface calm to profound depths. Their spiritual work mirrors this diversity—sometimes light and playful, other times dense and transformative. Whether gentle as a tide or intense as a surge, their presence always carries intention.
Port Life and the Spirits Who Lived It
This spiritual line includes not only sailors but also people—especially women—who lived and worked in the ports. Many served drinks or engaged in sex work, sharing their lives with sailors, Malandros (streetwise people), and Gypsies. In Umbanda, these spirits could also become Marinheiros and Marinheiras, acknowledged not by their social role but by their emotional wisdom and connection to the waters. Their lived experiences aligned them with the flowing, transformative current of the Povo d’Água.
Shared Origins, Different Umbanda Lines
While port life influences their stories, it does not define spiritual identity. Spirits with similar earthly experiences may also appear in other spiritual lines such as Malandros and Malandras (male and female spirits who embody charm, street wisdom, and survival), or Exus and Pomba-Giras (powerful spirits linked to transformation and crossroads). Though some gestures or traits may overlap, each line in Umbanda holds its own energetic frequency and sacred function. Surface similarities often conceal deeper spiritual distinctions.
What the Marinheiros Represent in Umbanda
Marinheiros and Marinheiras in Umbanda:
- Embody mobility, curiosity, and emotional depth
- Heal through the element of water, focusing on emotional and spiritual cleansing
- Represent joy, hope, and resilience
- Guide through humor, storytelling, and direct spiritual advice
- Offer lightness in moments of emotional burden or spiritual blockage
They also represent romantic freedom, offering support to those navigating love or seeking a “safe harbor.”
Work and Ritual Role of the Marinheiros in Umbanda
Presence and Attire
In a gira, Marinheiros and Marinheiras move as if still on the deck of a ship. For some, this sway also mimics the light, drunken steps of a seasoned sailor. Their movements echo the ocean’s rhythm.
They typically wear navy blue and white, reflecting traditional sailor attire. A white cap, striped shirt, or navy jacket completes their look—garments that root their identity in the Povo d’Água.
True to seafaring beliefs, they usually reject items taken directly from the sea, like decorative shells or seastars, which are thought to bring bad luck. An exception is the cowrie shell—once used as ancient currency and today revered for its sacred meaning in rituals and spiritual exchange.
Ritual Tools and Behavior
Marinheiros and Marinheiras in Umbanda use alcoholic beverages and smoke as energetic tools. They may drink rum, whiskey, cachaça, or wine to activate and channel energy during rituals.
They often smoke cigars, cigarettes, cigarillos, or pipes, using the smoke for spiritual cleansing, protection, and to anchor their energetic presence in the terreiro (Umbanda ritual space).
Spiritual Work: From Depth to Shore
The Sacred Movement of Depth to Surface
Above all, Marinheiros and Marinheiras reveal what lies buried. They specialize in bringing to the surface emotional and spiritual states hidden beneath silence, denial, or confusion.
This sacred movement—from depth to shore—fosters healing and transformation. It may feel intense, like drowning in what must be fully experienced before release. But this immersion is often necessary. Through it, Marinheiros and Marinheiras help others rise, helping them breathe again where once they were submerged in silence or sorrow.
Life and Death at Sea
Some Marinheiros and Marinheiras walk the thin line between life and death—a spiritual edge where endings open the way to renewal. Many died at sea or survived near-death experiences, and instead of weakening them, these encounters with mortality became sources of spiritual strength. Their presence carries the depth of those who have braved both literal and emotional storms.
In Umbanda, this role reflects the concept of the calunga grande—the ocean as the great graveyard where all returns, transforms, and begins anew. These spirits do not dwell in death; they rise from it, bringing with them the power to help others survive their own emotional shipwrecks. In moments of despair or transition, they don’t lead toward the end—they pull us back toward life, with new clarity and resilience.
The Tools of Healing in Their Currents
Their healing work is both symbolic and practical:
- Passes: energetic gestures that restore balance to the subtle bodies
- Consultations: clear and direct spiritual advice
- Discharges: spiritual cleansing from accumulated negativity
Each action aligns with their current—to draw out, to clear, and to restore the flow.
The Paradox of Joy and Gravity
One moment they laugh and sing; the next, they sit quietly, guiding a seeker through deep emotional release. This is the sacred paradox of the Marinheiros: joy and gravity, celebration and depth—always moving with the unpredictable rhythm of the sea.
Spiritual Hierarchy and Orisha Connection
The spiritual line of the Marinheiros is traditionally under the domain of the Orishá Yemanjá, the Orishá of the ocean and queen of the salt waters. From her flows the foundation of this line: the rhythm of waves, the vastness of the sea, and the emotional wisdom that only the ocean can teach.
Within the line, however, there are spirits who carry specific affinities with other Orishás associated with water. Some Marinheiros of sweet waters resonate with the energy of the Orishá Oshun, Orishá of rivers and lakes. Others, who lived with the favor of the wind in their sails, may connect with the Orishá Oyá, Orishá of winds and storms. There are also those who work in the depths—with dark and dense waters—aligned with the Orishá Olokun, the Orishá of the ocean abyss.
Archetypes of the Marinheiro Line
Marinheiros and Marinheiras embody a spectrum of Umbanda spirits and spiritual archetypes, each shaped by personal history and sacred mission. Names like João das Águas, Maria das Ondas, Pedro do Mar, and Rosa dos Mares represent distinct aspects of the watery line.
These aren’t fixed personalities but spiritual roles. One João das Águas might offer protection; another, emotional guidance. A Maria das Ondas may heal with nurturing energy or steer seekers through heartbreak and uncertainty.
Whether smiling, stern, or silent, they reflect the living pulse of the sea—capable of calming or challenging, but always meaningful.
Greeting the Marinheiros
Their greeting rings out in joy and rhythm:
“Trunfê, Trunfá, Trunfá Reá, A Costa Marujada!”
This chant opens the way for their arrival, honoring their current and calling forth the spirit of the waters.
A Simple Ritual to Connect with the Marinheiros
This simple Umbanda ritual offers a moment of reflection and emotional cleansing in harmony with the Marinheiros’ energy. It is not meant to invoke them directly, but to create space for connection, sincerity, and inner release.
What You Need:
- A white candle
- A glass of seawater or water with a pinch of salt (symbolizing the ocean’s spiritual energy)
- If you know the Marinheiro or Marinheira works with sweet waters, replace the salt with a drop of honey instead
- A white rose (to honor the Orishá Yemanjá, Orishá of the sea)
- A quiet and clean space
Steps:
- On a clean surface or simple home altar, place the glass of salted (or sweetened) water, and the white rose.
- Light the white candle and sit in silence for a few deep breaths.
- Say the greeting: “Trunfê, Trunfá, A Costa Marujada!”
- Speak from your heart. Express an emotion, a burden, or a longing you want to bring to the surface.
- Ask the Marinheiros to guide you through emotional or spiritual tides—toward peace and clarity.
- Remain quiet for a moment, feeling the energy settle.
- When complete, let the candle burn naturally and extinguish by itself. Dispose of the remains with respect.
This is an act of presence, not mediumship. A simple moment of clarity, gratitude, and alignment with the sacred waters.
Conclusion: Navigating Life with the Marinheiros
The Marinheiros in Umbanda do more than charm with their laughter. They stand as emotional guides, healers, and guardians of the sacred waters. Their presence brings lightness without ever denying depth.
They cross spiritual oceans to meet us—storm-tested, wave-worn, and full of wisdom. With them, we learn that laughter and healing, joy and truth, can sail in the same boat.
Have you ever felt the vibrant energy of a Marinheiro or Marinheira during a gira? Did their laughter or gaze stir something in you? Share your story in the comments—your voice helps keep this current alive.
Trunfê, Trunfá! May the winds be favorable, and may the sea of your spirit find its calm.
Ashé!
Dive Deeper: See our Blog about What Is Umbanda? Origins, Beliefs, and Spiritual Practices and about The Erês in Umbanda: The Joyful and Magical Presence of the Children
