SACRED Adornments: appropriating BEADS

12/13/2018

Elekes | Kolye
Ritual Adornments.

Typically, in African Traditional Religions initiates are adorned with beads that have been consecrated and ritually fed.

ELEKES - worn in the Orisha/Lukumi Tradition | Photo Courtesy: Shango Lade

In the Orisha/Lukumi Tradition, Elekes are beaded necklaces in patterns and colors of the Orisha.
Once an individual’s head is crowned to an Orisha, other adornments such as bracelets for Oshun, Yemaya and Oya, in addition to an Ide - an intricate beaded bracelet indicating the initiates head Orisha, is also worn.

In Haitian Vodou, none of the aforementioned accessories exists within our spiritual/initiation system - with the exception of a sacred beaded necklace, known as Kolye. Kolye’s are long in length and stylized for a particular individual, which includes the representation of all Lwa. Ritually fed and presented, this is a badge of initiation into Vodou.

Ritual Appropriation

We do not have a single strand beaded necklace for Legba, in whatever color(s) folks are debating belong to him, charged at the crossroads.

No cutesy, pink & gold beads for Freda, ritually dipped in champagne.
Blue & crystal beads cleansed in the ocean for La Sirene & Agwe don’t exist.
Red and blue for Danto or Ogou?
Black and Purple beads for Gede & Manman Brijit charged in a cemetery?!
No.
Traditionally, we do not have handmade bracelets, waist beads, anklets, or amulets that are “ritually charged” under a full moon, to “open doors”, aid in protection, love or prosperity in the name of Lwa.
This is Millennial Internet Vodou for monetary gain.
This is an individual who is clearly arrogant to think “Vodou Lwa Necklaces” exists, and it’s acceptable to create this nonsense. If someone is making and selling these Etsy/FB/Insta trinkets to you, please know you are simply wearing jewelry - void of any energy from Lwa.
If this person is a Manbo or Houngan: THEY KNOW BETTER!!
Use Discernment.

KOYLE - worn by Hatian Vodou initiates | Photo Courtesy: Loraj Gwonde Bon Manbo | Soysete Nago

Just as Elekes are received in a beautiful ceremonial fashion, Kolye is ritually washed, prayed and sung upon, by an entire community, with an animal sacrifice included - it is empowered!
It is ACTIVATED by initiated hands, with license to do ritual work.
It is then placed upon the neck and crossed across the body of the initiate, which indicates priesthood into Vodou - KANZO, which seals the commitment to be a servant of Lwa until death.

Lukumi and Vodou have many similarities, but they are two vastly different spiritual systems. They should be respected and treated as such, when ritual implements/tools & regalia is concerned.

Respect Spirit.
Respect Ritual.
Respect TRADITION!

5 Comments

Daniel

4/23/2020 06:52:04 am

Elekes are not restricted to only the Orisha. I’ve personally worn beads dedicated to Ezili that are Navy Blue and Red. I am clairaudient and have her permission to where it from the Lwa. The most intense meditations I have had and great synchronicities came while wearing her beads. I was homeless for 8 months wearing the beads I went on long walks picking flowers for Erzulie. Erzulie controls my love life, sex life, and influences all my decisions. To say these beads are sold for monetary gain is ignorant because I personally have my beads on my altar sitting on Erzulie’s Veve and they hold her energy very well. These plastic beads actually hold more energy than my crystals. IF ELEKES WHERE WRONG TO USE IN VODOU EZILI DANTO WOULD’NT HAVE ACCEPTED MY USE OF THEM! I speak to Erzulie everyday and night before I go to sleep. I kiss my beads and return them to her altar.

Ashade Bon Manbo

4/26/2020 04:08:14 pm

The fact that you are using Elekes, that are ritually presented to Orisha/Lukumi practitioners in Haitian Vodou, which is an entirely different spiritual system, is a CLEAR indication that you haven't taken the time to fully study or comprehend the nuances that make each ATR different. Haitian Vodou DOES NOT have an Eleke ceremony! If you were to go to Haiti and ask a Manbo or Houngan for Eleke's, they wouldn't have a clue as to what you are referring to. Priests in Vodou wear KOLYE - its in Haitian Kreyol, not Yoruba, lol! Your actions and mentality is that of a colonizer. You are appropriating an African religion by going against everything it stands for. You cannot come into this tradition and do what you feel. Your entitlement is sickening.

Cassandra owens link

10/14/2021 10:25:17 pm

Hello I saw your comment and saw that you know no what you're talking about I have been learning to be a Sentara From my family 6 generations of the puerto rican women and my family and my great great grandmother passed away before she was able to give me my beads I wanted so much to have them as a staple in my prayers and protection from my family I have gotten stronger through the years and have wanted so long to have the beads along with my rosaries but don't just want to buy them from anywhere I honestly don't want to buy them at all I would like to Have them be given to me based on what whoever whoever they were giving to me felt like I deserve to have because I know that's how it works. Would happen to know where I could get this feom or who. I would so greatly appreciate ur help. Thank you 🤍

10/14/2021 10:13:21 pm

Hello. I am puertorican an have been taught from 6 generations of Sentara in my family. I've wanted organic original beads like this from where it came from originally, Africa Haitian new Orleans but I just want to buy them from anywhere. I've blessed my rosaries my self but I have been practicing more an more power I which I wish to have the necklaces help me, but I would like the have them blessed before reciving them. Would u recommend anyone who could help me with this. Thank you 🤍

Mark

5/16/2021 08:48:12 am

Hello! I am very interested in the topic of ritual and spiritual/religiour jewelry in general. I am not a practitioner of any ATR but I like to use special jewelry in my personal spiritual practice. What I wonder is, if it would be considered cultural appropriation or in any other way offensive, if someone makes a beaded necklace in specific colours, let's say for their own patron deitiy like a greek goddess, without referencing it to elekes or any other beads of another culture for that matter? Or in other words: If I would just use the idea of creating a dedicated beaded necklace for my spirit guide, in his/her colours, is that okay? Thank you very much and many greetings to you!