ᐈ Santeria Necklaces 【What are they, What are they for, How to Use Them and MORE】

Santeria Necklaces They are used by the faithful to this religion, however, there are many people that we see every day using all kinds of necklaces of different colors and that at first glance seem only fashion, but not all are used for this reason.

To know in detail about the Santeria NecklacesI invite you to read the following article.

Santeria necklaces

The Yoruba religion is a religion that came mainly to Cuba practiced by African slaves and which, when syncretizing with the Catholic religion, was also called Santeria. Certainly The necklaces or Elekes They are used only by the faithful of this religion, they mainly contribute and, among other things, a spiritual link between the santero and his saints. In the same way they allow each other to identify themselves.

They are acquired once started in the santeria, through an elaborate ceremony in which the necklace is prepared in advance, filling it with the energy and power of the saints. Likewise the necklaces They are an important part of Santeria, offering protection and guidance to those who wear them.

What are they?

They are elements that confer protection, power and guidance according to the Orisha that is designated. They maintain a connection between the Aleyo and the deities. If you want to know which saint is the correct one, it is done by prior consultation with a Babalawo (priest). He is the one who can, by interpreting him with an Ifá board or with the Diloggun (snails), receive the order from the orishas to impose the corresponding necklaces.

It is of the utmost importance to be aware that, in order to receive these necklaces one must be a devotee of Santeria. A Santeria necklace should never be worn as a fashion accessory, nor received by unscrupulous and inexperienced people. The only ones with enough knowledge and power to perform the ceremony and impose the necklaces are the Babalawo. They will become the godparents of the Aleyo, they will go to him for any question.

The necklaces represent an initiation, a kind of baptism in this religion. In addition symbolize respect, faith, devotion and belonging.

What are they for?

After imposition, the santeria necklaces They mainly provide protection against all evil to the person who wears them. The Aleyo can request to need and want to belong to the cult, but it is after the interpretation of the Babalawo that the Orishas will say if the necklaces will be imposed and which ones correspond to them apart from the initial five. This decision of the Orishas is of the utmost importance since by indicating that we must wear the necklaces, it indicates that we must protect ourselves.

They see the problems that the person is going through (which may be health, fate or other) and indicate to the Babalawo the use of the necklace for protection. The existing connection between the Aleyo, the necklaces, the saints and the protection they offer only ends when the person dies.

Colors and their Meaning

Each Deity of the Yoruba religion has particular characteristics, among which we have the colors. This particularity allows them to be differentiated, known and identified. For example:

White beaded necklace:

It represents Obatalá, the Almighty, transparent beads can also be used. We also have difference in the necklaces of the paths of each Orisha. In the ways of Obatalá we have:

Ayáguna: This necklace has 16 white beads, then 8 transparent beads are interspersed with 8 white beads, followed by 16 white beads and a red bead. This is how the necklace continues.

Alaguema or Aguema: For this necklace, green will be used as in the Ayáguna necklace, only the red bead is replaced by the green bead.

Obamoro: 16 white beads will be used, then two beads called soap water are placed, then a purple glory will be placed, another two soap water beads and 16 white beads, until a wooden cross is placed at the end of the necklace .

Necklace with yellow beads:

It represents Oshun, Goddess who symbolizes wealth. Her necklace is made with yellow or amber beads. In her paths we find these combinations:

Ibu Akuaró: It has fifteen honey-colored beads, then five red beads and a mother-of-pearl bead is added.

Hello Yemu: It will start with fifteen honey-colored beads, followed by five yellow beads, then an amber and a coral will be placed.

Necklace with red and black beads:

It belongs to Elegguá and they mean life and death. This necklace will be made by interspersing red and black beads. We can find the following variations:

You can add peony seeds.

There are three red beads, followed by three black beads and finally three white beads.

Necklace with red and white beads:

It belongs to Shango and for this necklace the red and white beads will alternate. They can also be found like this:

With six white beads and then six red ones, then six will be completed by interspersing one red and one white.

Dark green beaded necklace:

It represents Inlé and green, blue and orange or yellow beads will be used. A variation is to use twenty-one light blue beads and then three yellow ones.

Blue beaded necklace:

It represents the goddess Yemayá, the entire range of blue is used and it will be made with seven blue beads, then seven glass beads and followed by a blue bead and a glass bead.

How to use them

As we have said before, the necklaces They represent an intimate and spiritual connection between the aleyo and the saints, which is why special respect and care is owed to them. Necklaces must always be worn around the neck, except in specific cases. Above all they must be stored properly, they should never be kept in the pocket, bags or purses. Here are the steps to use them correctly:

Refreshment of Santeria Necklaces

When the necklaces they disrespect or when exposed to negative energies, the threads begin to tighten (get stiff) and become rigid. It happens in the same way when they have been prepared for a long time. However, there is a way to clean them called Refreshing and it is as follows:

Honey and coconut water are placed in a tureen for a period of 24 hours. In case of not having honey, they can be refreshed only with coconut water. If you do not have a tureen, you can use a deep white plate. This process energizes the necklaces and cleans them. After 24 hours, they are removed and cleaned with a white cloth. Then they can be used normally.

On the other hand, what you should do with them is:

Another thing you should know is that the necklaces they will be used differently in men and women. Men should wear it inside their clothes while women will wear it over their clothes.

How they are made

The elaboration of the santeria necklaces It is an act where rituals, songs and prayers are present. After the Babalawo indicates the necklaces that correspond to the person, a specialist is contacted for their elaboration and preparation. The elekes should not be bought in esoteric or botanical stores.

However, in some cases it may be the santero himself who makes them. This person will use a cotton thread, it cannot be done with another material, since when it is time to refresh it, it must absorb all the properties and positive energies. In addition, beads of various special colors will be used for each necklace.

It is very important to know that the necklace laying ceremony It is a large-scale ceremony and they are only received once in a lifetime. Being so special, they will carry an order, and this will depend on the house of saint in which it is carried out and in which the initiate belongs. Normally in the Osha Rule, Elegguá’s necklace is delivered first, Obatalá’s second, Yemaya’s third, Shangó’s fourth, and Oshún’s fifth.

Initially, to make the necklaces or elekes, while the beads are threaded on the thread, the person who makes it will perform the following prayers. This step is also known in Santeria as Moyugbar.

It will begin to develop Obatala necklace and while the beads are threaded a prayer is recited.

Prayer to Make the Necklaces

Your ashé Obatalá to (name of the Aleyo),

My ashé to (name of the aleyo)

Obatalaisa Obatalocha your Ashé Elekes,

My ashé elekes babamí lerí catiogue ocuní

Obatalá your Ashé eleke ayuba Obatalá.

Maferefún Obatala.

The following is the Yemayá necklace and is made in the same way:

Your Ashé Yemaya to (name of the aleyo)

My Ashé to (name of the aleyo)

Yemaya Olokun Yemayalocha

Ashé arere illa milateo Yemaya,

Your ashé elekes lerí o mio Yemayá lordé,

Your ashe eleke helps.

Maferefun Yemaya.

Oshun’s necklace follows and the same procedure continues:

Your ashé Oshun a (name of the aleyo)

My ashé to (name of the aleyo),

Oshun obiní gold yeyé yeyeo your ashé.

The elekes illa lerí illami oni egale quasi tu ashe

Elekes Oshun illa illami oni egale quasi tu ashé

Oshun eleke illa illami tu ashé elekes oshun ayuba.

Maferefun Oshun.

Finally, the Shango necklace is made and the prayer is as follows:

Your ashé Shango to (name of the aleyo)

My ashé to (name of the aleyo)

Your ashé Shango olouco Ozaín cherere your ashé

Elekes helps Shango.

Maferefun Shango.

Feed the Collars

This process must be followed very carefully for the saints to confer the necessary power on the necklaces. Then, having finished making all the necklaces, they will be taken to the river to be washed and as an offering to Oshun, they will be given a chicken and also honey from bees. Once this step is completed, the collars are placed in a tureen to feed them.

For this step, an omiero (liquid made from healing herbs) will be made where they are…