Encrusted with white beads in an elaborate cross pattern, this irukere, the yoruba word for fly whisk, is a decorative object used to symbolize Obatalá and royalty. The oricha Obatalá, often considered the father of all Orichas, is a merciful, wise and calm Lucumí divinity responsible for creating the human body before birth and charged with overseeing all the other divinities’ activities.

The white on the fly whisk, Obatalá’s color, is representative of all things clean and pure. As such, sons of Obatalá often wear immaculate white to please him and also to protect themselves because it often indicated that Obatalá throws his white mantle over them so that evil cannot inflict harm. White is also most appropriate for Obatalá as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is above them. Furthermore the handle of the fly whisk has 8 hanging strings of beads, which is significant to Obatalá, as his number is also 8. This fly whisk is also often a tool used by Obatalá.