We Are All Living Altars. How Do You Adorn Yourself?

Have you ever seen someone wearing all-white clothing and strands of colorful beads? It’s possible they were a spiritual practitioner of the Ifa, Santeria, or Lucumi traditions. 

And their beads were powerful talismans called Elekes. 

Elekes are intricate necklaces made out of brightly colored beads used to honor the Orishas.  The color of the beads depends on which Orisha the Eleke represents. 

For example, because Oshun is associated with yellow, an Eleke for her would likely include yellow and gold beads.

Elekes open the spiritual portal between the wearer and the Orishas. For those going through initiation rites, receiving Elekes is a transformative milestone.

While Elekes can be purchased from a botanica, these are more decorative while still paying homage to the Orishas they represent. 

Ceremonial Elekes will have been blessed and customized with unique beads and patterns. Patterns are a spiritual map for the initiate, guiding them down the path laid by their Ori, the Orisha assigned to them through their initiation rites. 

True style is wearing things that make you feel closer to Spirit.  Adornment has always been integral to our ancestral, Afro-diasporic spiritual practices. What do you wear to feel close to your spirit guides?

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