Brazilian culture has a rich African heritage. African-Brazilian cults lend a very special flavor to New Year's Celebrations on Copacabana Beach.

Women in white turbans and traditional Baiana dresses with delicate white lace sing chants, and dance to the hypnotic beat of drums.

Yemanjá is the deity of the seas, oceans and rivers. She receives many gifts on New Year's. In addition to white flowers, many groups prepare boats in all sizes with beautiful images of Yemanjá, that are later put in the sea.

Gifts are arranged in the sand with candles, and include food, cosmetics, bottles of cider and champagne. Nobody minds if you take pictures, but try not to interfere in the rituals. Sometimes people watching incorporate entities, and this is regarded as something completely ordinary. Do not try to help, mistaking this for a seizure or something.

To participate, enter one of the lines to be blessed by a mãe de santo priestess. This is called tomar um passe (take a pass). The mãe de santo uses her hands, blows cigar smoke... the idea is to take the bad fluids away, so you can start the year fresh. It will do you no harm, and you will actually walk away feeling lighter.