The History of the Yemaya Rites
Back in 2008, some 17 years ago now, having already established public full moon gatherings in a central city park as part of supporting the local community, I felt a rising need to offer something down at the water’s edge. After all, there is something extremely hypnotic about the ebb and flow of the waves that gently lap the shore.
During my research, I came across the annual rites that take place on 1 January in Rio de Janeiro to the Orisha, Iemanjá (Yemaya), as well as a three day event that takes place a month later in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. As water is such an essential, yet often neglected, resource, performing a rite in honour of this much beloved Orisha seemed appropriate.
Originally from West Africa where her name means "Mother whose children are like fish”, Yemaya is the owner of the Ogun River and a lake named for her. As the African diaspora occurred, Yemaya traveled with her children to the Americas and Caribbean, where the Mother of Waters became known as Mother of Oceans.
Image of altar for the 2015 Yemaya Blessing of the Waters rites
Over the years, I developed a framework to this annual event where those in attendance are encouraged to join in the singing of the sacred songs to Yemaya. After all, there is the belief that the more we sing with passion and devotion, the more likely the Orisha will answer our prayers.
One of the songs is the beautiful "Yemaya Assessu" which consists of four simple lines:
Yemaya assessu, assessu Yemaya
Yemaya olodo, olodo Yemaya.
A version that popular mantra singer Deva Premal has done can be found here.
Personal offerings and petitions are then made to Yemaya relating to fertility, travel by ocean, protection, healing, love and marriage, blessings, and also for the development of intuition and psychic gifts.
Suitable offerings include flowers, (preferably white), crystals (aquamarine and blue chalcedony), beach stones and shells. Silver (white metal) coins is acceptable, and the Orisha is also known to enjoy champagne. As these are thrown into the water, it is preferred that offerings are biodegradable.
Afterwards, slices of watermelon (Yemaya's favourite food) is available for anyone wishing to participate.
I write more about the inaugural Yemaya Blessing of the Waters in my book, In Her Sacred Names: Writings on the Divine Feminine which is available through LunaNoire Creations or Lulu Publishing or Amazon outlets.
