What is the role of Elegba?
Elegba allows ache to flow in ebó so that our fate may be changed. He facilitates divination ( diloggun, obi, okuele or any other form of divination ) by communicating to and for the other orishas, and to Olodumare herself. Elegua is said to be present everywhere and at all times.
Who is Legba?
Legba is a remover of obstacles, and can be consulted to help find new, positive opportunities, thanks to his ability to open doors and new roads. If you have problems moving forward with your life — you're stuck at the crossroads — Legba is the one to reach out to.
Who is Eleggua?
Eleggua is considered one of the warriors in our religion along with Ogun, Ochosi and Osun (as well as Erinle and Abata). He opens the road to all things and makes the spiritual connection of ache happen between humans, Olodumare, the orishas and the ancestors.
What is the significance of Eshu Elegbara (Legba)?
Eshu Elegbara mediates between people and the other spirits. Traditionally when one wishes to communicate with other spirits, one first asks Legba to open the door. He is the first spirit invoked in African-Diaspora spiritual ceremonies. Legba opens the gate for the other spirits to follow.
Who is Eshu Elegba?
Eshu, also spelled Eschu, also called Elegba, trickster god of the Yoruba of Nigeria, an essentially protective, benevolent spirit who serves Ifa, the chief god, as a messenger between heaven and earth.
Who is Elegba orisha?
Eshu (aka Elegba and Elegua) is the orisha of chance and uncertainty. Known as the “trickster,” he lurks at gateways and doorways to introduce chaos and accident into the lives of humans.
What is elegua known for?
Eleguá is known in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico as the orisha and "owner" of caminos, or roads and paths. All ceremonies and rituals in Santería must first have the approval of Eleguá before progressing. He is the messenger of Olofi.
Who is Eshu in the Bible?
Èṣù is a personification of Mischief; he is the one who teaches that there are always two sides or more to every issue. He balanced and created directions. Èṣù is so necessary to an ordered life!
Is Papa Legba and Elegua the same?
Papa Legba is thought to have emerged from the Yoruba and Gbe (Tadoid) diaspora as a continuation of the Orisha Eshu. This emerged as Lwa Papa Legba in Haitian voodoo, spirit Papa Laba in New Orleans Hoodoo and as the Oricha Elegua in Santeria.
Who is ESHU wife?
Oya Diety"The female deity Oya, the goddess of waters, is believed to have been a daughter of the primordial gods Obatala and his wife Yemojya.
What is Elegua color?
Eleguá's colors are red and black. His number is 3, or any multiple of 3. His day of the week is Monday, and the 3rd day of every month. Traditionally, the 6th of January and the 13th of June are recognized as his “saint's days” in Cuba.
What orisha is black and red?
Elegba. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Elegguá) is the owner of the roads and doors in this world. He is the repository of ashé. The colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his contradictory nature.
What does the green and yellow bracelet mean in Santería?
It should be the first ceremony anyone receives in the Santaria religion. At the end of this you can wear the green and yellow bracelet that signifies you know who your Orisha is and have taken the ceremony. The only way to really know your true Orisha and sign is to take the ceremony. It is not for the faint hearted.
What is the story of Eshu?
According to one story, Eshu became the messenger after playing a trick on the High God. He stole yams from the god's garden, used the god's slippers to make footprints there, and then suggested that the god had stolen the yams himself.
Who is the mother of Eshu?
EshuGalleryAliasesEleggua, LegbaRelativesOlorun (father), Yemoja (mother), Shango (brother), Ogun (brother), Ochosi (brother)AffiliationsThe Orishas The Guerreros21 more rows
What does Eshu carry?
Eshu, who knows all the languages spoken on earth, serves as a messenger between the gods and people. He also carries up to heaven the sacrifices that people offer to the gods.
Why does Elegba allow ache to flow in Ebó?
Elegba allows ache to flow in ebó so that our fate may be changed. He facilitates divination ( diloggun, obi, okuele or any other form of divination ) by communicating to and for the other orishas, and to Olodumare herself. Elegua is said to be present everywhere and at all times. Because of this Eleggua has many aspects or “caminos” (roads) ...
What is Eleggua's diloggun?
Eleggua’s diloggun (cowrie shells) are the ones used for general readings as he can speak for all of the other orishas.
Why is Elegua propitiated first?
Eleggua is always propitiated first in every ceremony that we do (after the ancestors have been honored, that is) so that he can open the road and our ebó will reach its destination. Elegua along with Ogun, Ochosi and Osun is one of the orishas received during the reception of The Warriors ( Guerreros) in initiation.
What is Eleggua's role in Santeria?
Eleggua (also spelled Elegua, Elewa, Elegba or Legba) is the most important of the orishas in Santeria. Elegua was the first orisha created by Olodumare and he existed prior to and witnessed creation unfold. He is the key to any of our religious practices, for without Elegua’s blessings nothing can proceed, transpire nor succeed in the world. Eleggua is the owner of all roads, crossroads, and doors. He is the power that allows all of the ache in the universe to move from point A to point B. Elegba allows our prayers to reach the orishas. Elegba allows ache to flow in ebó so that our fate may be changed. He facilitates divination ( diloggun, obi, okuele or any other form of divination ) by communicating to and for the other orishas, and to Olodumare herself.
How many caminos does Eleggua have?
Eleggua is said to have 101 different caminos or “roads”. Each road has a slightly different temperament and is found in a different place in nature. All roads of Eleggua are called “Eshu”. Here is but a sampling of his caminos.
What kind of food does Eleggua like?
The younger, child-like roads of Eleggua are typically offered wrapped candies and toys, while the older roads might enjoy hard candies, toasted corn or popcorn. Eleggua enjoys goat, rooster and bushrat, as well as smoked fish.
Where does Eleggua live?
Sacred Place in Nature: wild places, the crossroads, truthfully Eleggua lives everywhere (including the river, the ocean, the mountain top, and everywhere else)
What is Elegbara in Afro-Brazilian?
In Afro-Brazilian religion Elegbara is one of the titles of Exu.
What is Elegua's name?
In Africa. Elegua is known as Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára in the Yoruba religion and is closely associated with Eshu. Ẹlẹ́gbára means the "master of force" in the Yoruba language.
What ethnicity is Elegua?
Ethnic group. Yoruba people. A depiction of Ellegua. Elegua ( Yoruba: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára, also spelled Eleggua; known as Eleguá in Latin America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands) is an Orisha, a deity of roads in the religions of Santeria (Santería), Umbanda, Quimbanda, and Candomblé.
What is the name of the Orisha god?
Elegua. Elegua ( Yoruba: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára, also spelled Eleggua; known as Eleguá in Latin America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands) is an Orisha, a deity of roads in the religions of Santeria (Santería), Umbanda, Quimbanda, and Candomblé.
Who is Legba, Eleggua, Eshu, Exu?
Houngan Matt: (Regarding Legba) The Legba spirits, in Vodou, are a family of lwa who each are responsible for “opening the door” or initiating access to each section, or ritual division, of spirits that are served in our rites. Each nancion, or nation (a term used to distinguish groupings of lwa by their home culture or the people whose spirits they were before those people were brought to Haiti as slaves) has its own door-opening spirit referred to as a Legba. There are many such corresponding divisions of lwa, and each has their own Legba tasked with opening the door and allowing those spirits to pass. The Legbas are spirits of communication and contact, removers of barriers and openers of doors, who speak all languages and know all forms of communication.
Where does the worship of Legba/Eleggua/Exu originate?
Hougan Matt: (Regarding Legba) The Legba spirits are an intrinsic piece of the religion of the Fon people of Dahomey (and modern day Benin) whose cosmology forms the majority of Vodou’s metaphysical foundation. (Even the word Vodou comes from the Fon word meaning “spirit”; Lwa in turn is the Fon/Gbwe word for “lord”) Their religion continues in its homeland, now usually known as Beninois Vodou.
How can a person revere Legba/Eleggua/Exu and pay homage to him?
Houngan Matt: (Regarding Legba) Easily! If a person is interested in establishing working relationships with their spirits through Vodou’s traditions and paradigm, the Legba spirits are going to be some of the lwa they’ll be speaking to most!
What is Eshu in Yoruba?
E.: (Regarding Eleggua/Eshu) First we must distinguish between Eshu and Eleggua. Eshu (spelled Esu in traditional Yoruba with a little dot under the “s”) are a family of orishas more like natural forces. Eshus are found everywhere in the wild and each is different from the others. Eshus are wild and uncontrollable by nature. Messing with one without the proper respect will get you in big trouble quickly as it is the nature of Eshu to cause problems, test humanity and upset the balance of things. Babalawos are experts at working with an controlling Eshu for the betterment of humanity. They have the spiritual technology to tame Eshu.
What religion is Legba from?
Just to clarify, Legba is from Haitian Vodou, Eleggua /Eshu is from Santería Lucumi (and consequently Yoruba religion) and Exu is from Brazilian Quimbanda (and Umbanda). These are three different classes of spirits and he offer this information here for you to understand the difference between them.
What can you give Eleggua?
Some of the safest offerings you can give Eleggua or Eshu are toasted corn, smoked fish, rum and cigars. These are his favorite items no matter what road you happen to be working with. Keep in mind, however, that Eleggua (as with all the orishas) becomes accustomed to the way you treat him.
What is the nature of Eshus?
Eshus are wild and uncontrollable by nature. Messing with one without the proper respect will get you in big trouble quickly as it is the nature of Eshu to cause problems, test humanity and upset the balance of things. Babalawos are experts at working with an controlling Eshu for the betterment of humanity.
Why is Eshu Elegbara so famous?
Because he is venerated by different cultures with different languages, different variations of his name exist: Eshu Elegbara journeyed to the Western Hemisphere with enslaved devotees, where he emerged as one of the most significant, widely venerated spirits of African-Diaspora religions.
What does Eshu Elegbara do?
Eshu Elegbara mediates between people and the other spirits. Traditionally when one wishes to communicate with other spirits, one first asks Legba to open the door. He is the first spirit invoked in African-Diaspora spiritual ceremonies. Legba opens the gate for the other spirits to follow.
What does Papa Legba do?
Theoretically, there is nothing Papa Legba cannot do. He enables the lame to walk. He transforms bad luck into good and vice versa. Eshu Elegbara blesses devotees with the gift of manual dexterity, thus he is beloved by musicians as well as gamblers, dice players, and practitioners of three-card monte.
How many manifestations does Eshu Elegbara have?
Manifestations: He may have over 121 paths and manifestations. His original form in Africa was as a handsome, virile young man. This manifestation did not survive the Middle Passage. In the Western Hemisphere, Eshu Elegbara may manifest as a merry, tricky little boy or as an old limping man, weary from walking the world.
How to invoke Papa Legba?
Invoke him when spiritual communications are not going well. Invoke him by crossing bones at a crossroads or by leaving a small cairn of bones for him there. Theoretically, there is nothing Papa Legba cannot do.
What does Eshu do?
Eshu opens and closes roads. He is invoked to remove obstacles from your path and to obstruct enemies and misfortune so they can’t reach you. He is an intense trickster but also a force for justice. Eshu is a lover of truth. Nothing can be hidden from him. Eshu Elegbara mediates between people and the other spirits.
Where did Eleggua come from?
the origins of Eleggua are mysterious some say he is the child of Alabwanna -the lonely spirit. which is also one of his aspects .
What is Eshu's name in Cuba?
In Cuba he is generally called Eleggua . Although it is commonly believed that Eleggua is a mispronunciation of Elegbara. One of Eshu's many manifestations in Africa, the tradition is that Eleggua is the Hispanic form of Elewa, a praise name for Eshu meaning "Handsome one".
Why is Eshu's place alone unique?
Eshu's place alone is unique because he is both an "Orisha" and the leader of the " Ajogun" He is the one deity that is found as the "one" on both sides Orisa (201) and Ajogun (201) being able to be in all places at the same time. Given the name the porter voice of the orisa by Olodumare himself for being so honest and just.
How many powers does the Yoruba have?
Eleggua / Eshu. The Yoruba theology teaches us that there are 201 powers of the right (Ibora/Irumole)called Orisha whose role is to act as protectors and facilitators of humankind, But there are also 201 powers to the left called "Ajogun"(Demons) whose role is to present humans with challenges and obstacles. Eshu's place alone is unique ...
Who is the messenger of Orisa?
Eleggua, Elegbara, Eshu is the messenger of the orisa and the direct contact with mankind.
Does Eshu know the past?
Only Eshu knows the past , the future without recourse or divination systems. Although ,his actions may not be justified at that moment or difficult to understand , he is just always.
Who is Elegua?
Elegua is one of the four Orishas of the Santeria religion. He is also known to be the most important of the four. His importance among the Orishas is due primarily to him being the first of them to be created. The Orishas are warriors, with the other three being named Oggun, Ochosi and Osun. Elegua existed before creation and was witness to it after being created by Olodumare. He is the Orisha of the crossroads, which includes all other doors and roads. He is the very personification of destiny and fate and allows for the happiness of men. The number that symbolizes Elegua is 3, while his colors are black and red, displayed through a necklace. His partner is named Echu, who governs over all misfortune.
What are Elegua's tools?
Standard Tools and Tools of Power of Elegua. Elegua dwells in a large variety of objects, ranging all the way from a stone with load to a dry coconut. A few of his other dwellings include a stone, stone of reef, stone of shell and a snail cobo with load. He is meant to be placed inside a pot.
What can Elegua offer?
Any kinds of fish, yellow rice, toasted corn, tobacco, candies and liquor will be accepted by Elegua, as will nut oil and Chilean red pepper. As for sacrificed animals, Elegua is partial to chickens, turtles, mouse, deer and male goats. One of the primary foods that can be offered to Elegua is popcorn served in a bowl and topped with smoked fish. This offering can be laid next to the shrine of Elegua. Another cooked food that works well as an offering is what is known as Eko. This food is basically corn tamales and consists of a tamale, cornmeal, porridge and palm oil, all cooked together and placed on a plate that is meant to be placed beside the shrine of Elegua.
How many roads does Elegua have?
Elegua has a wide variety of different roads at his disposal, each signifying a different and unique personality of his. In fact, it is said that Elegua has 101 roads in all, each of them found in different places of nature.
What is the number of Elegua?
He is the very personification of destiny and fate and allows for the happiness of men. The number that symbolizes Elegua is 3, while his colors are black and red, displayed through a necklace.
What animals are sacrificed to Elegua?
As for sacrificed animals, Elegua is partial to chickens, turtles, mouse, deer and male goats. One of the primary foods that can be offered to Elegua is popcorn served in a bowl and topped with smoked fish. This offering can be laid next to the shrine of Elegua.
What are the tools of power in the infantile games?
These include coins, bells, toys, a mouse trap, whistles, matracas, balls and a hat of straw.
Who is Legba associated with?
Over time, after African syncretic practices blended with Catholicism in the new world, Legba became associated with several saints, including Saint Peter, Saint Anthony, and Saint Lazarus.
What does Legba offer?
Typical offerings might include candy, such as chocolate and other candy, alcohol — particularly dark rum, and pipe tobacco or cigars.
What is the meaning of Papa Legba?
In the Haitian Vodou religion and voodoo belief system, Papa Legba is one of the loa. Associated with the crossroads, he serves as an intermediary between man and the spirit world. Because of his gift of elocution, he is a being with strong influence over communication and speech.
What color is Legba?
He's associated with the colors black and red. Legba is strongly associated with crossroads magic, and is referenced in a number of early twentieth-century blues tunes from the area of the Mississippi Delta.
Where did Papa Legba find his home?
Papa Legba soon found a home in the religious structures of enslaved people in Haiti and the Caribbean, as well as in the American colonies. Author Denise Alvarado says Legba :
Where did Legba come from?
His origins were in the Dahomey kingdom, but Legba came to North America as a result of the transatlantic slave trade.
Who is the Legba Fetish?
Legba fetish from Benin. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. In the Haitian Vodou religion and voodoo belief system, Papa Legba is one of the loa.
