Elekes are beads used in traditional Yoruba culture to identify person’s spiritual lineage.  Receiving elekes represents a commitment to Ifa/Orisa as their primary spiritual discipline.  During this ritual the initiate is given divination to lay the foundation for future initiations.  Ifa teaches that every elevation of consciousness requires an equal level of protection.  The elekes are washed and blessed with oriki (invocations) designed to protect the person in their movement towards spiritual elevation.