Honoring the African sea goddess Yemanja in Uruguay
Thousands of worshippers came to the beach in Montevideo, Uruguay on the feast day of Yemanja, African sea goddess, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2.
- Offerings for the African sea goddess Yemanja are arranged on a towel at a beach in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- Worshippers sing to honor the African sea goddess Yemanja, at the sea shore in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- A woman stands in shallow ocean waters honoring the African sea goddess Yemanja, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- Candles lit to honor the African sea goddess Yemanja are propped in the sand in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- A headless statue of the African sea goddess Yemanja lies in the sand, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- A woman dances around an offering for the African sea goddess Yemanja, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- A woman lies face down in the water during a ritual honoring the African sea goddess Yemanja, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- A woman releases a small boat as an offering for the African sea goddess Yemanja, at a beach in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
- Worshippers carry a boat filled with offerings for the African sea goddess Yemanja, at a beach in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Thousands of worshippers come to the beach on Yemanja’s feast day, bearing candles, flowers, perfumes and fruit to show their gratitude for her blessings. The celebration coincides with the Roman Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria, marked Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)