Know the difference between Iemanjá and Nossa Sra dos Navegantes

On February 2nd, the day of Iemanjá and Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes is celebrated. But are the two protectors the same? This occurred because of the syncretism that took place in the 18th century, that is, nothing more than the result of a conflict, imposed by a clash between the different religions of blacks brought from Africa with Catholicism in Brazil. In this way, blacks incorporated the new religion where the orixás were associated with Catholic saints.

Afro-Christian syncretism was a way of worshiping their orixás, invoking the saints of the planters to circumvent religious surveillance. Thus, the followers of the cult of the orixás showed themselves to be converted, but only apparently. That is why, until today, you can find images of Catholic saints in the terreiros, especially in Umbanda.

In the opinion of many cult leaders, especially in Bahia, syncretism should be banned in all terreiros to reinforce the idea that Candomblé is not folklore, but religion. For them, using images of Catholic saints in the terreiros is part of a submissive religious life from the time of slave masters.

Syncretisms:

– Exu: Christian devil (São Pedro in the city of Porto Alegre – RS)

– Ogun: Saint George

-Oxossi: São Jorge (St. Anthony). In Pernambuco it is Archangel Michael.

– Xangô: São Jerônimo (São João)

– Iansã: Santa Barbara

– Oxum: Our Lady of Conception, Our Lady of Sorrows

– Obá: Joan of Arc (Santa Catarina)

– Logo: angel Gabriel

– Nana: Santa Ana

– Ibeji: São Cosme and São Damião (São Crispim and São Cipriano)

– Obaluaê: São Lázaro

– Ossain: Saint Francis of Assisi

– Oxumaré: Saint Bartholomew

– Ewá: Santa Marta (Santa Agata)

– Iemanjá: Our Lady of Conception, Our Lady of Candeias

– Oxalá: Our Lord of Bonfim, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ

How many Our Ladies are there?

A fact that needs to be clarified is that there are not several Our Ladies. The only one is Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. This variation of names occurred due to the desire to honor her.

In Brazil, it is estimated that there are three hundred denominations for Our Lady, each associated with the place where she was seen or the circumstances in which her messages were given.

There are hundreds of titles that appear for different reasons. In the world, approximately two thousand titles are attributed to Our Lady. It is important to emphasize that Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, for example, is the same as Nossa Senhora Aparecida.

Another extremely difficult fact is to determine which among the worshiped images would actually represent the Virgin Mary’s face. There are no descriptions in the gospels, since in early Christianity worship of images of saints was prohibited. The first frescoes only appeared in the 2nd century, and their different images are actually sources of creativity for their devotees.

Who is Our Lady of the Navigators (Candeias*)

Celebration: February 2

The designation Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, originated in the 15th century, with the navigation of Europeans, especially the Portuguese. Those who traveled, asked Our Lady for protection, to return safely to their homeland. The symbolism of the courageous woman and guide of the travelers, made Mary to be seen as an eternal winner of the enemies of the storms. It is customary to celebrate the day dedicated to him with a large river procession in Brazil.

The feast of Nossa Senhora das Candeias has been celebrated since the 4th century, replacing pre-Christian fertility rites.

Source: Orixás – a study on the gods of Candomblé and Virgin Mary, the Queen of Angels, by Monica Buonfiglio

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