goddess of the sea, yemanjá is the mother of all the gods in the pantheon of umbanda and other african religions.

although her traditional festival day is the 2nd of february, and is the analogue of the catholic devotional days for our lady of navigators and our lady of conception, her devotees in rio de janeiro mark the new year by casting offerings to her into the sea, either by hand or by boat.

traditional oblations include flowers, rice, perfume and small gifts given to the sea goddess in thanks for her blessings over the previous year.

based on pentecost day, in either may or june, all of rio de janeiro city and state celebrates the ancient tradition of the festa do divino espírito santo.