YEMOJA SWIMS
YEMOJA SWIMS
Where Water Becomes Wisdom
AQUATIC MOVEMENT
YEMOJA SWIMS is an aquatic movement of embodied wisdom founded by Milana May, centered around ceremonial, music-infused long-distance solo marathon swims through lakes, channels, and oceans. Each expedition brings together RituaL, music, endurance, and cultural expression, transforming every crossing into a living experience of consciousness, self-discovery, energy mastery, historic achievement, and SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION
As an initiative of Light To Leaders Of Africa, YEMOJA SWIMS brings together communities, athletes, educators, artists, researchers, environmental organizations, tourism and hospitality partners, government, media, and supporters through a growing series of international swimming expeditions that celebrate water, culture, and human connection
YEMOJA
Named in reverence to Yemoja, the Yoruba mother of waters, the initiative is guided by themes of life force, love, abundance, sacred femininity, nourishment, and guardian energy
MILANA MAY
Also known as Metashaman, is an energy master, channel, and direct descendant of the Siberian Lineage. She is a creative artist, philanthropist, and the founder of Gurumay Metaversity, an evolutionary nonprofit that develops art-science education technologies, immersive neo-wellness retreats, and global field programs for consciousness expansion, sovereignty, youth empowerment, human potential, and environmental protection
Milana’s international creative career includes performances on the main stages of Tomorrowland Brasil and Ultra Miami, two of the world’s largest and most prestigious electronic music festivals, alongside the release of her 2026 debut album, DYNASTY, showcasing a diverse body of work in a wide variety of genres. Her collaborations span Grammy-winning Jamaican artist Beenie Man, known as the “King of Dancehall”; multi-platinum Italian producer Jason Rooney; multi-Grammy-winning American mixing engineer Cooper Anderson; and Finnish billion-stream world bass pioneer Axel Thesleff, with whom she co-created THEØNESS, a world bass music project through which Milana sings in more than 11 languages, drawing inspiration from traditions around the world. She is also collaborating with platinum South African producer Soa Mattrix, among others, on upcoming Amapiano, 3-Step, and Afrobeats projects, continuing her mission of connecting people through music.
Through her solo marathon swims and humanitarian work in Africa, Milana is known among local communities as a role model and crowned oceanic figure, carrying names such as Asase Ya, Mami Wata, Yemoja, and Nguva Inkosazana, the Mermaid Goddess
THE JOURNEY
The growing legacy of YEMOJA SWIMS unites spiritually rooted endurance swim campaigns on an international scale with water-confidence training and aquatic conditioning for young boxers and athletes across Africa, strengthening radiant health, focus, and command. The movement also supports environmental stewardship through outreach initiatives, nature care, and public engagement, while celebrating African music and culture through curated swim soundtracks, joyful live events, and festival experiences.
In September 2024, aligned with Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, Ghanaian Times and GhanaWeb recognized Gurumay’s Freedom Swim as a historic record and national humanitarian milestone following Milana’s 24-kilometer two-way swim across Lake Bosomtwe, the largest natural lake in West Africa. Following the landmark Freedom Swim in Ghana and Ki Empress, a private ceremonial swim held in Borovoe, Kazakhstan, YEMOJA SWIMS is now preparing Umoja Swim, its next major expedition and Guinness World Record attempt across the Zanzibar Channel in 2027, celebrating Tanzania’s rich marine heritage, unity, and human connection through water
FREEDOM SWIM
GHANA
UMOJA SWIM
TANZANIA
THE BLUE RIVER
For centuries, the Zanzibar Channel connected Zanzibar, mainland East Africa, Oman, Arabia, India, and the wider Indian Ocean world through the seasonal rhythm of the monsoon winds. Along these waters traveled people, cultures, languages, music, knowledge, and traditions, transforming the channel into a living pathway of exchange between civilizations. Within the symbolic vision of YEMOJA SWIMS, this historic waterway is honored as one of Africa’s great Blue Rivers, reminding us that water has always been more than a boundary. It is a living current of connection that carries humanity forward across generations
JOIN THE EXPERIENCE
Witness the Historic Arrival
Celebrate the completion of the crossing through the ceremonial finish, cultural performances, meet & greet, press conference, and evening celebration
Follow the Crossing
Experience the expedition from the official support boat while following the swimmer throughout the journey.
Includes:
Ceremony Pass
3-night accommodation
Airport transfers
Local transportation
Meals
Official expedition boat
Behind-the-scenes access
Priority viewing
Expedition gift
Live the Journey
A luxury seven-day immersive retreat in Zanzibar and Tanzania designed around the expedition.
Includes:
Everything in the Expedition Pass
Luxury accommodation
Airport transfers
Premium dining
Private cultural experiences
Wellness programming
Safari experience
Private gatherings with Milana May
Concierge-level support
Become an Official Expedition Partner
Support the realization of Umoja Swim and help shape the future of YEMOJA SWIMS through youth aquatic education, environmental stewardship, and the expansion of future expeditions.
Includes:
Recognition as an Official Umoja Circle Partner
Sponsor acknowledgment on the YEMOJA SWIMS website
Name or company logo featured among Official Expedition Partners
Invitation to exclusive partner gatherings
VIP seating during the ceremonial arrival
Private dinner with Milana May and invited guests
Personalized signed commemorative artwork
Professional photographs from the expedition
Priority access to future YEMOJA SWIMS expeditions and retreats
Complete your journey with a Ceremony, Expedition, or Retreat Experience
An infinite loop of creation. Represented here by a black circle. 100% cotton.
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An infinite loop of creation. Represented here by a black circle. 100% cotton.
