once at copacabana beach posto 4, across from rua costante ramos, chants, cerimonies, rituals, and cultural shows to honor yemanjá take place - priests and priestesses, in characteristic all-white outfits, lead mesmerizing rites of worship, complete with drums, smoking, dancing, and even trances. 

as part of these rituals, dozens of small boats carrying offerings are released into the sea, while small fireworks and traditional candomblé and umbanda rhythms are played well into the night.

as the new year approaches, the casting of flowers into the sea becomes as widespread as toasting champagne, and people can be seen along the city's beaches raising white roses above their heads, whistling and casting them to the waves.