Case file · Sacred site
Festa de Iemanjá, Rio Vermelho
Every 2 February since 1923, fishermen of Rio Vermelho in Salvador have carried gifts to the sea for Iemanjá, the orixá of the waters. It is now one of Brazil's largest religious festivals.
1923 CE · -13.01, -38.49 · status: account
The account
The tradition says it began when fish were scarce and the fishermen asked a Candomblé priestess for help. Offerings of flowers, perfume and mirrors are carried out to sea in boats.
Connections in the atlas
- Iemanjá on the beaches of Montevideo
- Yemọja of the Ogun River
- Olokun, ruler of the ocean depths
- Terreiro do Gantois