Collection: Orisha & Santería Supplies

What Is Santería?

Santería is an African diaspora religion that developed in Cuba in the late 19th century from the traditional Yoruba religion of West Africa, Catholicism, and Spiritism. Its practitioners, called creyentes, honor the orishas through offerings, music, divination, and shrines kept in the home. There is no central authority, so practice varies from one religious house to the next, and each house is led by initiated priests who teach their godchildren.

What You'll Find Here

Orisha Tools

Each orisha has a set of tools, called herramientas, that rest on the orisha's shrine. Ogún's iron tools and Ochosi's bow and arrow are among the best known. We carry tool sets for Obatalá, Ogún, Ochosi, Oshún, Yemayá, Changó, Oyá, Obba, Olokun, Inle, Aggayu, Orisha Oko, Osun, and San Lázaro, along with a jícara gourd cup and an iron ball for Ogún. Some pieces, such as the ékuele divining chain and the wooden bowls for Orula's hand initiation, are used only by initiated priests in ceremony.

Kufi Caps

Our kufi caps come in the colors of Obatalá, Elegguá, Oshún, Orula, Changó, and Yemayá. Many practitioners wear a cap in their orisha's colors to ceremonies and religious gatherings.

Elekes and Cowrie Shells

Elekes are beaded necklaces in an orisha's colors, and our set of twelve white Obatalá elekes suits a religious house preparing for a ceremony. Cowrie shells are used in diloggún, the shell divination read by initiated priests, and they also decorate tools and altar pieces.

Orisha Oils, Cascarilla, and Books

Orisha oils are condition oils named for individual orishas such as Changó, Oshún, Yemayá, and Ogún, and for the Seven African Powers. They come from botánica folk practice rather than from Lucumí ritual itself. Cascarilla is powdered eggshell used for cleansing and protection, and books by Migene González-Wippler and Carlos Montenegro give readers an introduction to the tradition.

How Do I Start Learning About the Orishas?

Santería is learned inside a religious house, from a godparent who has been initiated. Books are a good introduction to the orishas and their stories, and if the orishas are calling you, the next step is to find a reputable house and ask to learn from the people who practice there.

Explore Related Collections

For reading, our Santería Books collection holds the titles on the religion and its herbal baths. Many botánica shoppers also browse 7-Day Candles, Ritual Fragrance Oils, and Cleansing and Home Blessing, and Altars and Altar Tools covers the shelves and holders a home shrine needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the orishas?
The orishas are the spirits honored in Santería and other Yoruba-derived religions, and each one is tied to forces of nature and human life. Yemayá is linked with the sea, Ogún with iron and work, and Oshún with rivers, love, and sweetness.

Do I need to be initiated to use these supplies?
Anyone can keep orisha oils, cascarilla, and books about the tradition. Elekes, orisha tool sets, and pieces like the ékuele are traditionally received or consecrated inside a religious house, so they are best learned about from a godparent within the tradition.

What are elekes?
Elekes are beaded necklaces in the colors of a specific orisha. In Santería, a godparent traditionally gives them to a new member in a ceremony, and receiving them is one of the first steps into the religion.

Which colors belong to each orisha?
Common pairings in Lucumí practice are white for Obatalá, red and black for Elegguá, red and white for Changó, blue and white for Yemayá, and yellow or gold for Oshún. Colors vary between houses and lineages, so follow the colors your own house uses.

What are the Seven African Powers?
The Seven African Powers is a devotional grouping of seven orishas that appears on candles, oils, and colognes in botánica practice. The group usually includes Elegguá, Obatalá, Yemayá, Oshún, Changó, Ogún, and Orula.