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.   

the current tradition of venerating yemanjá on new year's eve in rio de janeiro started in 1952, when a community group from governors island named tenda de santa barbara decamped for copacabana beach with a group of priests and devotees of candomblé, with the stated goal of honoring the queen of the sea.

prior to 1952, there had already been an established tradition of umbandistas celebrating on other beaches at the turn of the new year, all dressed in white - and the tenda de santa barbara's yearly celebration quickly grew famous.