Originating in the Yoruba religion of Western Africa, Yemaya has become the great Ocean Mother Goddess of Santeria in South America and in the Caribbean as well as She was brought to the new world by slaves.  Yemaya is Mother Ocean, but she also represents the great maternal force of life and creation. She lives in the ocean, expressing her moods with the tides and currents of the great waters.

In Brazil her devotees set up elaborate beach front altars each New Year's Eve, setting out food and candles to be washed away by with the morning tides. Yemeya rules over everything that is connected to the sea, the matron of sailors and fishermen, protecting them from drowning. Yemeya also especially blesses the lives and concerns of women and of children.

In Africa offerings of fruit, flowers and the little puka like shells beloved of the Goddess were offered to Yemaya in the