Ochosi Tools, Complete Set for the Orisha of the Hunt

A complete set. The implements arrive together, so his shrine is furnished in one step and nothing has to be matched piece by piece later.

Centered on the bow and arrow. The drawn bow is Ochosi's signature, the sign of the hunter whose aim is true. It is the first thing a devotee looks for among his tools.

Made for devotional use. These are an orisha's attributes and are kept with him. They are made to be tended, not handled as working tools.

• Contents: one complete set of Ochosi tools
• Shipping weight: about 1.6 pounds
• Use: kept with Ochosi's vessel or at his shrine
• Tradition: Lucumí (Santería)

In Lucumí, the religion also called Santería, Ochosi is counted among the Warriors alongside Elegguá, Ogún, and Osun. He is the hunter who provides and the tracker who finds what is hidden, which is why people bring him matters of justice and ask him to clear the way to a goal.

An orisha's tools are his attributes in physical form. How they are prepared, where they are placed, and how Ochosi is received are matters of ceremony, and they are best learned from practitioners within the tradition. If you are new to him, an elder or godparent is the right guide.

1. Follow the guidance of your godparent or house about how Ochosi's tools are prepared and where they are kept.
2. Place the set with his vessel or at his shrine, in keeping with your lineage's custom.
3. Keep the tools clean and dry, and tend them on the schedule your house teaches.
4. If you are not initiated, you may keep the set respectfully as a devotional object while you learn from people who serve him.

Let respect lead. With the orishas, the relationship matters more than the arrangement.

• Orisha Ochosi Oil by Espiritu, 1 oz: An oil made in his name for dressing candles lit at his shrine.
• Ochosi Arrow Amulet, 1 Inch: Carry his arrow with you as a small sign of the hunter's protection.
• Orisha Elegguá Oil by Espiritu, 2 Dram: Elegguá opens every road, and he is honored first among the Warriors.
• Inle Tools Complete Set: Inle is Ochosi's close companion in the stories, and their tools are often kept by the same devotees.
• Aggayú Metal Tool Set, Set of 3: Another orisha's attributes for a house that tends more than one shrine.

Who is Ochosi?

Ochosi, also spelled Oshosi or Ochossi, is the orisha of the hunt, the forest, and justice in the Lucumí tradition. He is one of the Warriors, together with Elegguá, Ogún, and Osun. His emblem is the bow and arrow, and devotees call on him as a tracker who finds the way.

What are orisha tools?

Orisha tools, called herramientas in Spanish, are the implements that represent an orisha's powers and stories. They are kept with the orisha's vessel as his attributes. Each orisha has a recognizable set, and Ochosi's is known by the bow and arrow.

Do I need to be initiated to buy this set?

No one checks credentials at checkout, and you are welcome to buy it. Receiving Ochosi and preparing his tools are ceremonial matters, though, so we encourage you to work with a godparent or house. That knowledge is best learned from practitioners within the tradition.

How should I care for the tools?

Keep the set dry and dust it with a soft cloth. If your house teaches a particular way of cleaning or feeding an orisha's tools, follow that teaching over any general advice. When you are unsure, ask your elders before you act.

Is Santería the same as Hoodoo or Vodou?

No. Lucumí, or Santería, is an Afro-Cuban religion rooted in Yoruba tradition. Hoodoo is African American folk magic, and Vodou is a Haitian religion. They share African roots, but each has its own history, practices, and community, and each deserves to be named correctly.