Elekes are consecrated beaded necklaces worn by Santeria and Lukumi religious practitioners.
The necklaces present different Orishas, and wearers from other traditions must follow the rules for utmost protection.
Failure to follow elekes rules means the wearer cannot receive protection from the respective Orisha.
The rules may differ between Santeria communities, but the most common ones are as follows:
- Only buy elekes or obtain them from approved sources. Get them from a qualified priest who will perform an initiation ceremony for your induction into the religion.
- Women should not wear elekes during menstruation because the condition makes them spiritually impure.
- Do not share your elekes, lend them to a friend, or give them out as a gift because they are personal and private consecrated items that only belong to the receiver. Also, do not allow children to touch or play with the elekes as they may damage them since they do not understand their use.
Also check: what to do if someone Touches Your Elekes
- You should not sleep in your elekes because they may get damaged. The necklaces can also choke you while you are asleep.
- Do not apply strongly scented perfumes or lotions near the necklaces. Additionally, avoid handling strong chemicals and bleaching agents while wearing elekes to prevent damaging them.
- Avoid negative talks or rumors that paint others badly when wearing elekes.
- When not using elekes, fold them in a clean and probably a white cloth. The storage area must be dirt-free and private.
- Consult your elder or religious leader when you want to remove or add more elekes to your existing collection.
- Understand the significance of the elekes and avoid wearing them for ornamental purposes.
Related: Can Anyone Wear Elekes?
- Consecrate and bless your elekes periodically to activate the Orisha and maintain its spiritual energy.
Also check: How to Bless and Consecrate Elekes
- Do not wear elekes while mourning, viewing dead bodies, during burials, and when emotionally unstable.
- Avoid engaging in violent situations like fighting, legal disputes, and conflicts when wearing elekes because it is disrespectful, and you may damage them.
- Remove your elekes when participating in sports and other physical activities that may exert pressure on the elekes, causing wear and tear.
- Respect other people’s elekes by not touching or wearing them. You should also not exchange elekes with other people who wear them.
- Avoid wearing elekes in unholy situations like drinking alcohol, nightclubs, or engaging in intimate activities.
- Do not undress in the presence of your elekes. Remove them and put them aside before removing your clothes.
- If you break or damage your elekes, do not replace them with unconsecrated ones. Consult your elder for guidance on how to replace your elekes.
- Thank the Orishas frequently for answering your petition. Also, strive to maintain the spiritual connection through routine prayers and offerings, among other practices as outlined by your tradition.
Related: How to Feed Elekes
- Avoid wearing elekes while going through financial challenges. Remove elekes when borrowing money or taking a loan.
- Remove your elekes when visiting the sick in the hospital or their homes.
- Refrain from deceiving other people or engaging in dishonest activities while wearing elekes.
- Do not ask for advice regarding elekes from people who don’t wear them. Only seek clarification or as questions to experiences elekes practitioners or elders.
- Keep elekes hidden from the public by not letting others see or get tempted to touch them. If your elekes are necklaces, wear a full neck or a scarf over your neck to conceal them.
- If you remove your elekes, don’t stay for long hours or days without wearing them back because they may lose their spiritual energy.
- Do not mix up elekes traditions to avoid confusion and disrespecting Orishas. Stick to one tradition, and if you want to switch or practice another, consult your elder for the right advice.
