Elekes for a santeria initiation. For custom beadwork, email us at olorishas@gmail.com Instagram: Orishaarts

Elekes (also knowns as Collares or Necklaces): The first initiation most people experience in Santeria is the reception of the elekes. “Eleke” is the Lucumí word for beads, and the elekes are simple beaded necklaces in the patterns and colors of the 5 primary orishas of Santeria: Eleggua, Obatala, Oshun, Yemaya and Chango. You cannot just buy elekes in a store, put them on and think you have undergone this initiation. The ceremony of the elekes involves first consecrating the necklaces and empowering them through ritual washing, prayers, songs, and animal sacrifice. A beaded necklace that has not been ritually washed or fed is nothing more than jewelry. The elekes are the banners of the orishas and they serve to place that person under their protection. The ceremony of the elekes involves ritual bathing of the initiate and a koborí eledá (rogación de cabeza). The elekes are given to the person at the end of the ceremony. After this ceremony the initiate is considered an aborisha. Elekes should be worn at all times, but removed when bathing, swimming, sleeping, having sex, or when drinking alcohol or other substances.

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