Mia Doi Todd’s version of “Canto de Iemanjá,” one of the original Afro-Sambas by the great Brazilian songwriters Vinícius de Moraes and Baden Powell, appears on her record “Cosmic Ocean Ship” and on the new “Red Hot + Rio2” compilation.

Iemanjá is the Orisha or Goddess of the Ocean in the Yoruba, Candomble, and Santeria traditions. She represents divine consciousness, healing unconditional love, feminine creativity and the essence of motherhood. The video pays homage to the rituals that take place in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil at the Praia de Iemanjá every year on February 2nd, her special saint’s day. Devotees bring flowers, watermelons and perfume for the Goddess and make altars for her on the beach. These offerings are then taken out to the Ocean with prayers and wishes alongside the statue of the Goddess in a small boat. The belief is that if the offerings are accepted by the Ocean and do not tumble back to shore, wishes will be granted.

Director: Grace Oh
Cinematography: Theo Jemison & Richard Hama