Railroad Track for Oggun Reinforcement

• A length of real railroad iron. Small, solid, and heavy in the hand.
• Belongs to Ogún. The orisha of iron, the forge, and the railroad.
• A reinforcement for his tools. Added to his implements in the Lucumí tradition.
• An honest iron object. Raw, weighty, and unpolished, as his tradition keeps it.

• Small length of railroad track, solid iron
• For Ogún, orisha of iron and the railroad
• Added to his tools as reinforcement in the Lucumí tradition
• Surface may show honest rust and mill marks; wipe dry and oil lightly to keep rust in check

Ogún is one of the great orishas of the Lucumí (Santería) tradition: the smith and warrior, owner of iron and every tool made from it, patron of labor, of the machete that clears the road, and, in the modern world, of the railroad itself. His presence is kept in iron, and his receptacle traditionally holds iron implements, his herramientas, that carry his force. A piece of railroad track is among the most direct offerings of his own material: rail iron from the domain he owns, added to his tools to reinforce and feed his strength. What is done with it, and when, belongs to the tradition. Ogún is received through initiation in Lucumí houses, and the feeding and tending of his tools are taught by godparents and elders, not by a product page. We describe this piece with respect and leave its ritual use where it belongs, in the hands of those the tradition has prepared.

1. Within the tradition. If you have received Ogún, add the track to his tools as your godparents and elders direct; their guidance governs the work.
2. As reinforcement. It is traditionally placed with his implements so his strength is fed by more of his own iron.
3. Outside the tradition. Kept respectfully, it is an honest piece of railroad iron, a weighty emblem of labor and strength.
4. Care for the iron. Keep it dry and wipe it with a lightly oiled cloth now and then to keep rust in check.

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What is this?

A small, solid length of real railroad track, sold as a reinforcement for Ogún's tools in the Lucumí tradition.

Who is Ogún?

One of the great orishas of the Lucumí (Santería) tradition: the smith and warrior who owns iron, tools, labor, and the railroad.

Do I need to be initiated to buy it?

Anyone may buy it. Its ritual use, though, belongs to the tradition: Ogún is received through initiation, and the tending of his tools is taught by godparents and elders within a house.

Will it rust?

It is raw iron, so honest surface rust is natural. Wipe it dry and pass a lightly oiled cloth over it now and then.