Azabache or jet is a type of fossilized wood that has a long history of use in Africa, Cuba, and Latin America for its magical and spiritual properties. In these regions, jet has been prized for their ability to protect against the evil eye and bring good luck. The black beads in orisha elekes, ides,…
Category: Beadwork
Orisha beadwork
Introduction to Lucumi Beads and the Foundation of orisha Beadwork
t in a series of videos that explore and explain the types of beads used in Lucumi worship to make elekes, ides, mazos, and so on. I hope to grow this series to include how to make these items for the orishas according to traditional techniques.
Gala elekes and ides for Obatala and Elegua
Obatala and Elegua ides and gala elekes I made these for a friend who is crowing their first two santos. The “gala” elekes are multi stranded ones used to identify who is the guardian angel of the iyawo as it is bigger and fancier than the other elekes worn. I like to make these multi-stranded….
Iruke for Obatala Oshagriñan
I recently made an iruke (horsetail fly whisk) for Obatala Oshagriñan, the elder warrior Obatala. Oshagriñan is a strategist and alchemist and grants predictive vision to his children. Like Ayaguna, Oshagriñan takes a color other than funfun or the white color palette. Oshagriñan takes red or slightly orange coral (iyun), but not too much. Along with Czech glass white and…
ELEGUA GARABATOS
ELEGUA GARABATOS These are handmade and beaded garabatos or guava wood hooks that Elegua uses to remove obstacles from the person’s life. Eleggua also uses it to bring blessings or ire to the person. Both are made with all Czech glass beads, one has a little beaded gourd with red parrot feathers, and both have…
Asojano’s Ja and Kacha
Asojano /Asowano / Asohano – Babalu Aye uses a straw broom to clean people and restore health. The ha (ha is a Fon word meaning broom) is made from palm fibers. Within the beaded handle part is an elaborate concoction that is wrapped in cloth, imbibing the straw broom with the power to heal. The…
Agogo Oduduwa Orisa Aiye
This is an agogo (sacred bell) used in the worship of Oduduwa. Oduduwa or Oddua is an orisha funfun (white orisha). He is the closest Lukumi deity we have to Olodumare. The difference between Oduduwa and Olofin in the Lukumi religion is that Oduduwa set foot on the earth, but Olofin did not. Odua’s agogo…
Oshún Ibu Akuaro Idé
This is an idé made for an old friend who is about to crown his second Oshun. Oshun Ibu Akuaro, also called Aparo or Acuaro is Oshosi’s wife. She is a hunter and uses a net. She also takes the skins of birds, such as the quail and pheasant. There are several different ways of…
My Beading Manifesto
I have done a lot of beadwork for a lot of people, and it has been wonderful. I have a day job, so I try and bead for others in my spare time and can be a little slow when my bread-and-butter work gets hectic. I wrote the following a while ago when I had…
Dada Omolowo Ori Omo Lube o
Dada and Abayani Dada is the deity of riches and protector of children and is therefore related to the development and care of the human embryo and especially the human head alongside Obatala. The Lukumi believe Dada is Shango’s junior sibling. Dada’s children are ordained to Shango. Dada is male, and his consecrated materials are…
Narigones for Orisha Oko
A narigon is a nose ring that is used for oxen. We put them to orisha Oko. The narigon is also symbolic of not being burdened or shackled, that you have freedom. Here you see a brass narigon that I have decorated for Orisha Oko. The original narigon has a cloth wrapper sewn around it…
The Two Waters
Oshun and Yemaya are described as the “two waters” relating specifically to the odus “odi-she” (in dilogun divination: 7-5) and “oshe-di” (in dilogun divination: 5-7). These odus state that the person doesn’t have one mother, but two: Oshun and Yemaya, who govern, love, and protect the person in equal and interested manner. Therefore, when you see…