Maternal Divinity Yemonja: Tranquil Sea, Turbulent Tides (Divine Tales of the Yorubas)

As there are spirits in the earth, so the Yoruba believe that spirits dwell in the rivers, lagoons and the sea. These spirits are revered principally by those who dwell near rivers, lagoons or the sea and who believe that the spirits, if suitably provided can in return provide man's needs. They control abundance of fish, they prevent the capsizing of canoes and river accidents; some of the spirits supply children to the barren. YEMONJA, for example, is believed to be the goddess of waters generally from her body, according to the people's belief, all rivers, lagoons and the sea flow out. Today she is associated with the Ogun River and is given elaborate worship in those areas through which it flows, particularly in Abeokuta.