In the south of Brazil you will find an unusual mermaid statue in the coastal town of Barra Velha in Costão dos Náufragos. map
The statue represents a mermaid named Janaína, daughter of Iemanjá/Yemoya, a goddess in the Umbanda and Yoruba religions. Yemoja is a patron spirit of women, especially pregnant women, and the ocean. Her name is a contraction of the Yoruba words "Yeye omo eja" which means "Mother whose children are like fish."
It was made by José Cristóvão Batista in 1990.
The statue holds a giant clamshell, and can often be seen with items offered in the shell.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barra_Velha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemoja
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbanda
Additional images: If you would like to help with additional photographs of this sculpture, please contact us. Photos must be yours, preferably 10 megapixel or better.
