Queen of the Sea – The story of Iemanjá – Blog

“Miss Yemanja. Where she lives? Where she lives? In the waters, in the stone location, in an enchanted palace at the bottom of the sea”, this is an excerpt from the song “Sea Queen”, sung by dear Maria Bethânia in honor of one of the most adored orixás in Brazil, the Mother of All Orixás, Iemanjá. The singer from Bahia describes the story of the Queen of the Sea a little, but she is not the only one who has a song for the goddess, Marisa Monte has also paid tribute to Iemanjá in a song. Why is Iemanjá so consecrated in Brazil?

History of Yemanja

In Yoruba (Yoruba) mythology, Iemanjá, whose name means mother of fish-children, is the daughter of Olokun, ruler of the seas, who gave her, as a child, a potion that would help her escape all dangers.

The goddess grew up and married Oduduá, with whom she had 10 orixás children (so her name also means mother of all orixás). The act of nursing her heirs made her breasts enormous, and that made her feel ashamed.

Tired of her marriage, Iemanjá decided to leave Oduduá and go after happiness. On this journey she fell in love with King Okerê. However, in order to keep him, the Queen of the Sea demanded one condition: that her huge breasts should never be a laughing stock, he immediately agreed.

The tales reveal that one day, after Okerê drank a lot and began to mock Iemanjá’s breasts. She was devastated and ran away. The king tried to chase after her to apologize, but it was too late. The Sea Queen used the potion she got from her father to escape, turning into a river that met the sea.

Desperate and afraid of losing his wife, Okerê turned into a mountain, he wanted to stop the course of the river, before it reached the sea. Iemanjá asked her son Xangô for help and he, with a lightning bolt, split the mountain in half, allowing the water to follow its path. In this way Iemanjá found the ocean and became the “Queen of the Sea”.

About Yemanja

It is considered the most popular orixá in Brazil (and also in Cuba), it is the only one that has public parties and holidays in its honor. This is because the Queen of the Sea is the patron saint of fishermen, deciding the fate of all those who enter the sea.

Brazil has a huge coastline, making fishing a common activity in beach towns, in addition to a whole trade related to sea products. In view of this, the fishermen always remember and ask for protection for Iemanjá so that fishing is plentiful and safe. She is also remembered by family members of those who venture out to sea, asking that the journey be completed without danger.

February 02 is celebrated the day of Iemanjá. The biggest party dedicated to Sea Queen takes place in Salvador, capital of Bahia. On this day, thousands of people wear white and make a procession to the temple of Iemanjá. Others go to the sea to adore her and give thanks for the blessings she has bestowed, in addition to delivering gifts in gratitude.

In addition to this date, devotees also hold celebrations on August 15th and December 31st, due to the turn of the year and the sympathies of the 7 waves.

Influence of the Queen of the Sea in Brazil

It all started with the arrival of Africans in the country. Iemanjá is an orixá of the religion of the Egba people, native to the city of Abeokuta, Nigeria. The Queen of the Sea is known as the deity of fresh and salt waters. But nowadays she is revered in Candomblé, Umbanda, Xambá, Omolokô and Haitian Vodou. Her influence is perceived in several songs, stories, soap operas and films.

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