Followers of Afro-Brazilian religions pay tribute to sea goddess for New Year

Followers of Afro-Brazilian religions have taken to Copacabana beach, paying tribute to the sea goddess Yemanja in a New Year celebration.

Dancing to traditional drums, and loading small boats with flowers and other offerings before letting them set sail, the faithful voiced their hopes for the coming year.

Among those who took part was Miriam de Oyá, who said, “we always ask Yemanjá to give us health, abundance, prosperity, that…