Elekes or Collares Collares is a Spanish word-meaning necklace.

Each orisha has their own necklace that is composed using their colors, number and path or camino taken. This will vary from house to house (ile). The elekes are the first level of initiation into the religion. As with all the initiations it is necessary to consult the orishas themselves to see if one may receive the elekes before undergoing the ceremony. The elekes are simply cotton thread strung with colored glass beads that correspond to the various orishas whose elekes one is receiving. Prior to receiving the elekes and after the orishas have given permission to proceed it is necessary to determine who the persons ruling orisha is. That aside one then undergoes the ceremony of receiving the elekes. Initially one will receive the elekes of Obatala, Shango, Eleggua, Yemaya and Oshun (a total of 5). The elekes bestow upon the recipient the protection and blessings of the orishas and protect them from harm. The person should wear them daily and can do whatever they like while wearing the elekes except bathe with them on or engage in sex with them on. The ceremony last several hours and much goes into the preparation of the elekes before they are presented to the recipient. First off the santero must ask the orisha to bless the elekes. This is done in the Yoruba tongue. While the orishas understand all languages they prefer to hear their native tongue spoken as it pleases them more. Once the elekes have been made, they should be fed and should have been washed in a special liquid called omiero, which is the sacred elixir of santeria. This omiero is made up of many ingredients and includes most of the herbs sacred to the orishas among other things. The Sacrifice to the collares Eleggua Gallo Obatala, Oshun Gallina o paloma Shango, Yemaya Gallo o paloma

Note: Some santeros will have the collares prepared and fed during a ceremony in which a person may be crowned. In other words, when I crown someone, I normally wash/feed several sets of elekes/collares. By this doing this, I already have several sets prepared to give to a person who will receive the elekes.
Below is an example of elekes/collares. The pattern or path will vary from house to house (ile). The variation exists due to the path of the orishas that the santero (a) has.

The above picture represents the orisha.

Eleggua Obatala Oshun Yemaya Shango

The placement of the elekes/collares There are two methods of placing the elekes/collares: If an individual knows his/her guardian angel/ Received as an Obatala child

One can receive the elekes through Obatala, since Obatala rules/owns all ori (heads). Below is the correct order of placement
Oshun Child 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eleggua Obatala Yemaya Shango Oshun

Shango Child 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eleggua Obatala Oshun Yemaya Shango

Yemaya Child 1. 2. 3. 4. Eleggua Obatala Oshun Shango Yemaya

5.

Obatala child 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eleggua Oshun Yemaya Shango Obatala

Note: An Eleggu child in my house (Ewingmadde)

Eleggua child
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Eleggua, present, do not place Obatala Oshun Yemaya Shango Eleggua, the same eleke, present & place

The ceremony Will not be discussed Caring for ones Elekes Periodically, one should cleanse (wash) the elekes with the water from an obi (coconut). An individual can give his/her elekes to the godparent for cleansing.