Yemaya is the Orisha 

of the oceans and seas.  

African slaves were brought on ships 

across the ocean to the New World.  

They gave thanks to Yemaya 

for making the crossing alive. 

Wemba pays tribute to Yemaya in a performance

 called, "The Middle Passage".

click on thumbnail to see photo full-size

Denise in  Yemaya costume  

in the style worn in Brazil

Like the ocean Yemaya can be calm or  turbulent.  

The oceans gave birth to life as we know it, 

and Yemaya is called, "The Mother of the Orishas".

A wooden statue of Yemaya

encrusted with seashells

Meaning of her Yoruba name:

 "Yeye mo oja"  Mother of the Children of Fishes

Her Spiritual Principle:

  motherhood, the birth of life on earth

Element - ocean/salt water 

(For the Yoruba - the Ogun River)

Colors - blue and white, blue and crystal

Feast Day - September 7th

Day of the week - Saturday

Her Number - 7

Her animals are: ducks, sea birds, & goats,  

Her foods are: watermelon, molasses,

  black eyed-peas and fried pork rinds

Emblems - fan, sea-shells, and her ornaments

 are made of silver.

click the magic bird to return to the Orisha page