Obatala Santeria Necklace, Set of 12

Twelve white bead strands. Each approximately 30 inches, in Obatala's color.

Botanica supply quantity. A dozen strands, the working format for houses, godparents, and craft use.

Honestly framed. Unconsecrated beads, plainly stated; ceremony is where elekes become elekes.

• Contents: 12 white beaded necklaces, approximately 30 inches each
• Sold as devotional and craft supply; not consecrated
• SKU: VNOBA12

Obatala is among the oldest and most venerated orishas: the calm, white robed father figure who shapes human bodies and rules peace, purity, wisdom, and justice, honored in white from cloth to beads. In the living tradition, the white eleke associated with him is received in the kariocha preparation and eleke ceremonies of Santeria, given by a godparent, washed and consecrated according to protocols that belong to initiates and their houses. That is not something a shop can sell, and we do not pretend to. What we offer is the material: clean white strands in the traditional style, useful to practitioners who go through beads in quantity, to houses preparing their own work, and to anyone who wants white devotional beads worn respectfully. Those drawn to Obatala from outside the tradition are best served by learning from its initiates; the religion is living, and its doors have their own keepers.

1. Practitioners and houses: use as your tradition and elders direct; the strands arrive unconsecrated.
2. For general devotional wear, cleanse and wear respectfully as white prayer beads.
3. For craft, the 30 inch strands restring readily.
4. Store the set clean and white, as befits the color.

• Obatala Incense Sticks by Sree Vani, 120 Sticks: the devotional incense in the same honor.
• Black Velveteen Bag: clean keeping for strands between uses.
• The Magic of Marie Laveau by Denise Alvarado: respectful history from a neighboring living tradition.

Are these consecrated elekes?

No, and we say so plainly. Elekes receive their meaning through ceremony from a godparent within the tradition. These are unconsecrated white bead strands in the traditional style, sold as supply.

Who is this set for?

Chiefly practitioners, houses, and botanica customers who use white strands in quantity, and anyone who wants respectful white devotional beads. Twelve strands is a working supply, not a costume lot.

Who is Obatala?

The orisha of peace, purity, and wisdom in Santeria and other Yoruba derived traditions, the father figure honored in white. His veneration is a living, initiatory practice best learned from its own carriers.

How long is each necklace?

Approximately 30 inches, the traditional over-the-head length.