In the Batuque of Rio Grande do Sul, Iemanjá is the queen of the sea and the mother of all orixás, mistress of the salt waters and the axé that cradles life. She is one of the great ladies of the gaúcha nation, worshipped with respect in the terreiros of the South and revered in the waves of the Atlantic. Understanding Iemanjá in Batuque is knowing the maternal strength that organizes the pantheon and supports her children.
This guide brings together the profile of Iemanjá within Batuque: her technical sheet, her place among the old orixás, the qualities by nation, the colors and offerings, the greeting and the syncretism with Our Lady of the Navigators, so strong in Rio Grande do Sul.
Who is Iemanjá in Batuque
In Batuque, Iemanjá is the owner of the sea, the orixá of salt waters and the mother of all orixás. Her energy is maternal and welcoming, but also firm like the tide that does not stop. She rules the homes and the family, and tradition associates her with thought, reasoning, and intelligence, caring for the emotional balance of her children.
Batuque is the religion of orixás from Rio Grande do Sul, related to the candomblé of Bahia and the Xangô (Shango) of Pernambuco, but with its own rituals. As the entry about Batuque records, the worship is done exclusively to the orixás, and each person's orixá is identified in the jogo de búzios. In this Gaúcho pantheon, Iemanjá occupies one of the highest places.
She is not a "mermaid" from folklore, but rather a greater divinity. Called the queen of the sea and goddess of pearls, Iemanjá is the matriarch who provides comfort to the orixás and to humanity. To know the entire pantheon in which she is inserted, it is worth reading the guide of the orixás of Batuque.
Iemanjá among the old orixás
A mark of Batuque is the notion of old and new orixás, which speaks of the age and position of each divinity within the foundation. Iemanjá is among the old orixás, alongside Oxum (Oshun) and Oxalá (Obatala). This is a sign of her seniority and the respect that the nation dedicates to her.
Being among the elders is not just a matter of order in the prayers. It is recognizing that Iemanjá carries the authority of the mother, the one to whom the other orixás turn. Her relationship with Oxum, the queen of the fresh waters, completes the pair of the great ladies of the waters: one queen in the sea, the other in the rivers and waterfalls.
The order of the prayers varies according to the nation. In Oyó, for example, the sequence gives a closing place to Iansã (Oya), Xangô, and Oxalá. Each house has its own foundation, and for this reason, the experienced practitioner always asks about the tradition of the nation before stating fixed rules.
The qualities of Iemanjá by nation
Like almost everything in Batuque, the details of Iemanjá change according to the house's nation. The main nations are Cabinda, Jeje, Oyó, Ijexá, and Nagô, with Ijexá being the predominant one today. Each one keeps variations of quality, prayer, and foundation.
In the Cabinda nation, tradition records qualities such as:
- Boci: the youngest, linked to the vigor and movement of the waters
- Bomi: the oldest, of deep and serene energy
- Nanã (Nana Buruku) Borocum: associated with the origin of life and the ancestry of the waters
These qualities are not the same in all houses, and the spelling may vary. The most important thing is to understand that Iemanjá manifests in different faces, from the youngest to the most ancient. Therefore, upon being initiated, the filho de Iemanjá discovers in the game which is the quality that rules him, and it is that one which guides his obligations.
Colors, offerings, and greeting of Iemanjá
The energy of Iemanjá translates into symbols linked to the sea and purity. Fixing these elements helps the filho de santo to honor her with respect.
- Colors: white, light blue, crystal, silver, and pearls, her jewels
- Domains: the sea, motherhood, the home, thought, and emotional balance
- Offerings: white canjica, flowers, perfumes, and candles, often delivered by the seaside
- Greeting: “Omi Odô!”, the mother of the waters, also greeted as “Odôiyá” in many houses
Omi Odô, my Mother Iemanjá! To greet the queen of the sea is to recognize the lap that welcomes all pains. Where the wave reaches the sand, there her blessing touches the earth.
Offerings are usually taken to the sea, at the meeting between the salt water and the faith of those who ask. In Batuque, as in other nations of orixás, there is also the ritual sacrifice of animals in larger obligations, performed inside the fundamento and conducted by the pai or mãe de santo. It is a serious liturgical act, part of the tradition, and should not be confused with a spectacle.
The syncretism with Our Lady of the Navigators
In Rio Grande do Sul, the syncretism of Iemanjá has a very specific face: Our Lady of the Navigators, celebrated on February 2. On this day, Afro faith and Catholic devotion meet, and Porto Alegre experiences one of the largest religious festivals in the state, with a procession and tributes to the mother of the waters.
This syncretism was born as a strategy of resistance. Under the repression of African religiosity, enslaved peoples associated their orixás with Catholic saints of similar functions to keep the worship alive under a permitted appearance. Iemanjá, mistress of the sea and protector of those who navigate, found a mirror in Our Lady of the Navigators. The entry about Iemanjá confirms this association in Rio Grande do Sul and in Bahia.
It is necessary to remember that syncretism is not the same as equating. Iemanjá and Our Lady of the Navigators are distinct figures, each in its own tradition. The meeting between them tells a story of faith's survival, not a fusion of doctrines. Recognizing this is respecting both Batuque and popular Catholicism.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Iemanjá in Batuque?
In the Batuque of Rio Grande do Sul, Iemanjá is the queen of the sea, mistress of the salt waters and mother of all orixás. She is one of the old orixás, alongside Oxum and Oxalá, and she rules the homes, motherhood, and thought. Worshiped with respect in Gaúcho terreiros, she is revered as the great matriarch of the pantheon.
What is the greeting of Iemanjá in Batuque?
The most used greeting is “Omi Odô!”, which reveres her as the mother of the waters. In many houses she is also greeted as “Odôiyá”. Because it is an oral tradition, the exact form varies according to the nation and the foundation of the house, but all recognize in her the queen of the sea and the mother of the orixás.
What is the syncretism of Iemanjá in Rio Grande do Sul?
In Rio Grande do Sul, Iemanjá is syncretized with Our Lady of the Navigators, celebrated on February 2. The association was born as a strategy of resistance, to preserve African worship under a Catholic appearance. They are distinct figures, united by the connection with the sea and the protection of those who navigate.
What are the qualities of Iemanjá in Batuque?
The qualities vary by nation. In the Cabinda nation, tradition records Boci, the youngest, Bomi, the oldest, and Nanã Borocum, linked to the origin of life. Each house keeps its variations of name and foundation, and the filho de santo discovers in the cowrie-shell reading which quality rules them.
What are the colors and offerings of Iemanjá?
The colors of Iemanjá are white, light blue, crystal, silver, and pearls. Offerings usually include white canjica, flowers, perfumes, and candles, often taken to the seashore. Everything is done within the foundation of the house, with respect to the tradition of the nation and under the guidance of the pai or mãe de santo.
Where to buy items for Iemanjá
At Joia Mística Laroyê, you find everything to honor the queen of the sea with respect and devotion:
- Statues of Iemanjá for your altar and for tributes of faith
- White and light blue candles in the colors of the queen of the sea
- Flowers, perfumes, and essences for offerings at the seashore
- Bead necklaces, crystal and pearl beads connected to the axé of Iemanjá
- Alguidares and earthenware to prepare the canjica and offerings
Visit our physical store in Extrema-MG and we ship to all of Brazil. For guidance on how to assemble the Iemanjá offering responsibly, talk to us via WhatsApp.
References
- Wikipedia: entry about Batuque (religion)
- Wikipedia: entry about Iemanjá
