(Image via Setas para o infinito)

Brazilian clothing and lifestyle brand Farm recently caused a bit of controversy on its Instagram page when it posted a picture of a white model dressed as the Yoruba deity Iemanjá. Several followers of the brand expressed their distaste with the images, while other accused detractors of racism.

(Screenshot via Farm’s Instagram Page)

Iemanjá, an Orisha, or spirit representing God, is the mother of all Orishas, an ocean goddess and a protector of children. She is celebrated in many religious traditions of the diaspora.

(The Day of Yemanja, 2nd of February, where thousands of people dress in white and go to the beach to deposit offerings such as mirrors, jewelry, food, perfumes and other objects.)

As Black Women of Brazil points out, this isn’t the first time Iemanjá has been whitewashed in country. Last year, the site posted an image of black men carrying a statue depicting Iemanjá as white as part of a religious ceremony.

The situation brings to mind the highly contested whitewashing in the biblical epic film Exodus, which features white actors playing Egyptian rulers and biblical figures, while black actors play slaves and servants. While the characters in both situations are born of religious traditions and cultural mythology, they are based on actual civilizations and ethnic groups, therefore their racial or ethnic identities aren’t mythical in nature.