Case file · Sacred site
Iemanjá on the beaches of Montevideo
Every 2 February, followers of Afro-Brazilian religions in Uruguay gather on the beaches of Montevideo to offer flowers, candles and small boats to Iemanjá, the orixá of the sea; in 2015 the government estimated 100,000 visitors.
2015 CE · -34.91, -56.17 · status: official
The account
A statue of Iemanjá stands at Playa Ramírez in Parque Rodó, the centre of the celebration, which is practised by Umbanda and Candomblé communities and watched by many others. The festival reflects the growth of Afro-Brazilian religions in Uruguay during the 20th century and the country's Afro-Uruguayan heritage.
The sceptical view
A living religious festival, recorded here by the year of an official attendance estimate.