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…
Category: Beadwork
Orisha beadwork
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…
Sizing Beads
So, seed beads, as mentioned in a previous post, come in various sizes. They are written in “4/0 or 5/0” and are called “three o’s” (etc.); the smaller the first number, THE BIGGER THE BEAD. It used to mean that if you laid down a row of beads, end to end, the first number would…
Some Ifa Things
Here are some slightly different things for Orunmila/Ifa that I have made: Ide Ifa (idefa) that use blue cylindrical beads called “segi” or shegi. Segi beads are a sign of royalty and regeneration and these cornflower blue beads are said to be deposited in the earth by the rainbow python, Oshumare. They are said to…
It’s “ide” not “ilde”
I’m sorry to be a pain in the neck, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter, but the word used for bracelet in Lukumi is IDE (eeeh-day) not ILDE. No “L” necessary.
Beading is Fundamental but Wearing Them will Block more Shade than Sunglasses
IF you have undergone the ceremony of the beads, are crowned direct with Oduduwa, have received an orisha lavado – basically if you have received any consecrated orisha necklace / eleke – for rhubarb’s sake WEAR THEM. They are designed to be worn, they work when worn, they protect you when worn and they draw blessings…when…
Matipó: A Bead Color You Should Know
I mentioned this bead in a previous post, it describes a colour somewhere between red and brown. A reddish brown, but definitely a brown (not wine or anything so red). Matipó pictured below is used in elekes for Asojano, Aganju, some Oguns, Oba, and Oya. You will see that there is definitely some red in…
Reason No. 1 Why Collares Bought in a Botánica are no Good
Orisha necklaces, also called collares (Spanish) or elekes/ilekes (Yoruba/Lukumí) need to be tied shut by a Santera/o. The uninitiated can make necklaces, that is, the beads can be strung by anyone but for a necklace to be properly made, it must be knotted by an initiated Lukumí priest. The Santera/o will say a prayer while…
Seed beads
Seed beads, also called ‘rocailles’ and sometimes ‘pony’ or ‘crow’ beads are the most commonly-used type of bead in Lukumi religious practice. The historical centres for their production have been Italy/Venice and also The former Czech Republic and Germany (Bohemia). French also had a nice little seed bead industry going on for a while, too….
Pin ada o (pinaldo), Obe, and Cuchillo
After kariocha, or becoming an olorisha, a further initiation some go on to receive (usually after many years) is the ceremony of knife. It permits the person to sacrifice but is more of a rite of passage to elder hood and symbol of attainment and authority. The obvious deity central to the initiation is Ogun,…
Nana Buruku
Nana Buruku, the mother of Babalu Aye is another austere deity that is connected to the mysteries of the earth and thus she takes pink. She also takes black and accents of coral and mother of pearl.
The Beauty and Power of Coral
Coral is a precious material from the sea which is becoming increasingly endangered due to a loss of the pristine water conditions and natural ecosystem that allows it to grow. If we were to take better care of our environment and minimize pollution, we would all be better off, but that is all for another…
Orisha Books & Beads 