Next: 2 Feb 2027
Festa de Iemanjá
In Salvador, thousands bring white flowers and gifts to the sea for Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian queen of the ocean.
When is Festa de Iemanjá in 2027?
Festa de Iemanjá 2027 is on Tuesday, 2 February 2027. Other years: 2026, Monday, 2 February 2026; 2028, Wednesday, 2 February 2028.
About Festa de Iemanjá
On 2 February, devotees of Candomblé and many other Bahians gather at Rio Vermelho in Salvador, Bahia, to honour Iemanjá, the orisha of the sea and mother of waters. Before dawn, fishermen and followers dressed in white and blue arrive by the hundreds of thousands, carrying baskets and boats filled with gifts: white flowers, perfumes, mirrors, combs, soap, jewellery and sweets, which are carried out to sea on fishing boats and set adrift in her honour. Drumming, songs and prayers are offered. Those who join the crowd ask for her protection, for fishermen, families and love. Similar celebrations are held on New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro and Santos, where people wear white and send small boats of flowers to the sea. The day also coincides with the Catholic feast of Our Lady of the Navigators.
Festa de Iemanjá dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Festa de Iemanjá date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, 2 February 2026 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, 2 February 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, 2 February 2028 |
What is eaten
- acaraje
- moqueca
- white corn pudding
Also part of it, and being written: Yemoja (The orisha of the sea.), Candomblé (The religion of the celebration.), Rio Vermelho (The district of Salvador.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Yemoja" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.