Off to the beach and a party with a difference!  Millions of locals and tourists flock to Brazil’s Copacabana Beach to bring in the New Year.   Spectacular fireworks light up the night sky with live entertainment, dancing, food stalls and parties galore.

In addition to this modern day merriment is the Afro-Brazilian feast of lemanjá.   As dusk gathers, locals attired in blue and white robes beat drums and play music as they head towards the beach to celebrate the Festa de lemanjá which pays homage to the Goddess of Water.  She is regarded as the highest of all gods and is called Umbanda.

Thousands give offerings to the Goddess, who is said to own three-quarters of the ocean. Special rafts are loaded with gifts for Lemanjá such as flowers, perfumes and champagne. Some throw their offerings directly into the water, while others construct toy boats made of wood to send out their gifts to the Water Goddess. It is believed that that if she is made happy on this special day, she will keep watch on the sea and protect the residents from any harm. She will also make sure that any wishes requested for the coming year will be granted.

It is said that the Lemanjá Festival is something that everyone from any religion should experience at least once in their lifetime.  With a coastliine of almost 8,500 kilometers, this is quite a culturally diverse festival and second only to the famous Carnival.