Ayao's Necklace

Ayao's Necklace

Ayao is a female Orisha, sister of Oyá. She is not enthroned, although Oyá's daughters deliver her. She lives in a wine-red painted basin, hung from the ceiling with chains. She eats beside Oyá, but not on the floor. She lives in the roots of the Ceiba tree next to Iroko. She is served on a table with a tablecloth and flowers and is greeted at the foot of the Ceiba. The same animals are sacrificed to her as to Oyá. She is a chaste Orisha and very similar in her characteristics to Shangó.

Her secrets are kept in a soup tureen that is kept high in the house of the Olorisha who receives her. Usually, it is Oyá's children who receive her, although there are signs where someone may need to receive her. Her owners keep her in a basin tied to the ceiling of the place with chains. Ayao is a friend of spiritists and mediums.

Guardian of the Saraza of Eggun. Orisha of the heights. She was the one who ascended and gave the table to Oduduwá. From the land of Mecca, Ayao is an Orisha with Arab influence; she is categorized as an Orisha of the Desert. She lives high up in Iroko and should not descend to the floor or touch the floor, which is why her ceremonies are held on top of a table. She is the small whirlwind and the eye of the storm. It is said that she sits atop the Ceiba to help protect the spirits that pass through its clouds to reside in the realm of Olofi. It is said that when an initiate of Oyá is undergoing their birth consecration, the spirits that are gathered are attended to by Ayao.

Ayao cares for maiden women, or girls. Ayao is pure, which is why she is the one who brings the table to Oduduwa. It is said that Ayao is the one who carries messages to Iku and Oyá. Ayao is in charge of Oyá's notes at the cemetery gate. Ayao also takes care of the 9 egguns that accompany Oyá and is related to the 9 places of the ceremonies prior to an Oyá consecration. For this reason, some people place 9 glasses or cups of water for Oyá as a dedication to her. Some call these "Los Ajeres de Oyá." In the countryside, her colors are matipo and yellow with interspersed Oyá beads. Her fabric is a floral patch with these colors.