Yemoja Religion

Yemoja is known as the Queen of the Sea, Queen of the Waves, Lady of the Sea, Mother of Water, Mother of all Orishas, and Patroness and Protection of Children and Fishermen, in the Yoruba religion. The Yoruba religion ingenerated and is progressing in Southwestern Nigeria, parts of Benin and Togo. The religion has one major self-existing God or deity, Olodumare, whose status of supremacy is absolute . Olodumare is said to be the creator of the earth. He created Obatalá (father and creator of human bodies) to build the world and gave him a gold chain, a small bag of loose earth, and a five-toed hen. Obatalá was directed to use the chain to descend from heaven. When he touched the last link, he piled the loose earth on top of the water. Next,

When he was finished, he told Olodumare about the completion of earth, which sent his chameleon assistant down to earth, who verified that the land was solid. Olodumare than united Obatalá with Yemoja who gave birth to all Orishas1. The religious conviction acquired around 401 Orishas, or lesser Gods, who control the elements of nature; like Yemoja who controls the sea and all aspects of water. Yemoja goes by many names and a variety of different skin tones because of different cultures that worship her. Due to the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Africans being brought to Latin American countries, she is celebrated in countries like Cuba, Brazil, and Uruguay, especially among the Afro-Latino communities that live in those places. Yemoja is believed to have protected the slave ships through the waters on their journey to the Americas. Yemoja is important to many people and is the most loved and respected Orisha in the Yoruba religion, because she gave birth to all other Orishas. She is celebrated not only Africa but also in the Americas and parts of the

She appears as a dark skinned curly –to- kinky haired woman, with long black hair combed straight back. Yemoja is visualized as a mermaid or humanistic water being. She is often unclothed from the waist up. “Mami Wata” regularly carries luxurious trinkets such as mirrors, combs, and watches. Though she is a beautiful mermaid complete with tail, she is also said to walk the streets of modern African cities . Mami Wata colours differ from those of Yemoja; of Mami Wata are red and white. In The Caribbean there are many “Mami Wata’s” that are African spirits. Mami Wata is not an Orisha. The Yoruba myths traveled with the slaves from West Africa and are served in different forms most everywhere African slaves were taken. Although she is often represented and recognized as a mermaid-like person, Mami Wata has always been a spirit 6. She was never a person. Mami Wata loves expensive items and expects her devotees to put the best in her shrines. Devotees say she is especially fond of things that smell good, taste sweet, or shine and glitter, and each item is expected to have a mystical, magical power . Densely packed and carefully arranged, the shrines are spiritual magnets to attract and please Mami Wata so that her presence and support are assured. Shrines are often located outdoors, near bodies of water or in small houses or rooms. Followers of Mami Wata often say a prayer, “Oh queen, queen of water, our mother,