A Cuban known on TikTok as 'El Brillo' posted a video just over a minute long yesterday in which he conveys a spiritual message attributed to Yemayá, the orisha queen of the sea in Afro-Cuban santería, dedicated to her daughter.
The creator, whose profile is @el.brillo.01, opens the video with the words of the deity: "Yemayá says that we can feel an inner sea of sadness, of disappointments, of betrayals, of suffering. But Yemayá says, do not tire of swimming, of rowing, of rowing, of rowing, for in the end, she will send you a boat to the sea so you can reach your destination."
The message uses the sea—Yemayá's central element—as a metaphor for internal suffering and the hope for salvation, a device that directly connects with the symbolism of this orisha, whose attributes include oars, boats, shells, and the color blue.
The video continues with a call to self-love: "Let your strength come from within, and may your self-love be stronger than any circumstance in life."
'El Brillo' also issues a warning to those who attempt to harm the recipient of the message: "All those people who want to overshadow you, who want to humiliate you, who want to bring you down, it's because they've always wanted to usurp your place, take your position."
The closing of the video reaffirms the creator's devotion: "Remember well that there is no one greater than the Virgen de Regla, who is Yemayá."
In the video description, 'El Brillo' writes directly to his daughter: "Yemayá says and blessings for my daughter, I love you, may Yemayá always bless you because you deserve it, and dad decrees it to the universe."
The profile also offers private spiritual consultations, placing it within the popular practice of Afro-Cuban religious outreach on social media, a growing trend among Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Yemayá is one of the most venerated orishas of the Regla de Ocha, a religion that arose from the syncretism between Yoruba traditions—brought by African slaves during the colonial era—and Spanish Catholicism. In Cuba, she is associated with the Virgen de Regla, the patroness of the bay of Havana, whose sanctuary is located in the municipality of Regla.
Her celebration takes place every September 7th with masses, batá drums, offerings, and processions, and her sacred number is seven.
This type of content reflects the relevance of Afro-Cuban spirituality in the diaspora, where creators blend genuine devotion, entertainment, and spiritual services to connect new generations with century-old traditions.
"Sail finely through the world, continuing to do good, whatever comes from the heart, without expecting anything in return," concludes 'El Brillo' on behalf of the orisha.
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