Yemayá is the Orisha of the sea and the mother of all Orishas. She governs the saltwater ocean and all living things within it. As mother, she is nurturing, protective — and when angered, devastating.
Yemayá combines the vastness and power of the ocean with the warmth of a mother. She can be gentle as a calm sea or terrifying as a storm surge. Her home, Regla — a town across the bay from Havana — is one of the most important religious sites in Cuban Afro-Cuban tradition.
Yemayá has several toques corresponding to her different paths:
| Toque / Path | Character |
|---|---|
| Yemayá Okute | Warrior path — stronger, more aggressive rhythm |
| Yemayá Asesú | Calm, rolling, ocean-like |
| Standard Yemayá | Flowing, rhythmic waves — medium tempo with a rolling quality |
Character overall: rolling, undulating, wave-like. The rhythms evoke the movement of the sea — constant motion with rises and falls.
Yemayá's ceremonies are often held near the ocean or any large body of water. Her celebration on September 7 in Regla is one of the largest Afro-Cuban religious events in Cuba, drawing thousands of devotees.
The Yemayá dance imitates the ocean: the dancer's skirt and arms sweep in wave-like motions, the body sways and undulates. Flowing, expansive, and lyrical — it is one of the most visually beautiful Orisha dances.