Elegua

Elegua
Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára
Crossroads, Paths and homes, Doorways, Ways, Life and Death
Member of Orisha
Other namesEleggua, Elegba
Venerated inYoruba religion, Ifa-Orisha, Santería, Candomblé
RegionNigeria, North America, Latin America,
Ethnic groupYoruba people, African Diaspora

Elegua (Yoruba: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára (North America) and Ẹlẹ́gbá, in Cuba spelled Eleggua; also known as Eleguá in Latin America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands) is an Orisha, a deity of roads in the religions of traditional Ifa-Orisha, Santería, Winti, Umbanda, Quimbanda, Holy Infant of Atocha, and Candomblé.[1][2]

In Africa

Elegua is known as Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára and Ẹlẹ́gbá in the Yoruba religion and is closely associated with Eshu. Ẹlẹ́gbára means the "master of force" in the Yoruba language.[1][2]

Santería

Eleguá (Legba) is known in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico as the orisha and "owner" of caminos, or roads and paths. Elegua is also known as a “trickster” and is portrayed as both being very young and mischievous as well as very old and wise, encompassing the varying paths and phases of fate and life. Eleguá’s colors are red, black, and white. Their numbers are 3 and 21. All ceremonies and rituals in Santería must first have the approval of Eleguá before progressing. He is the messenger of Olofi. Within the "Regla de Ocha" [Cuba], he slightly differs from Echu, who in this case is seen as his brother, by having less dangerous and less aggressive characteristics. Eleguá moves silently; in contrast, Echu "breaks through". Manifestations of Eleguá includes Akefun, Aleshujade, Arabobo, Awanjonu, Lalafán, Obasín, Oparicocha, and Osokere.[2]

There is a patakí (story) in Santería in which Olodumare gives Eleguá the keys to the past, present, and future; for this reason, Eleguá is often depicted holding a set of keys. A figure of Eleguá may be placed in the house behind the entrance door. These figures are usually made with cement and cowrie shells, and sometimes sit within clay dishes.[2]

In Brazil

In Afro-Brazilian religion Elegbara is Exu.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Adeoye, C.L. (1989). Ìgbàgbọ́ àti ẹ̀sìn Yorùba (in Yoruba). Ibadan: Evans Bros. Nigeria Publishers. p. 123. ISBN 9781675098.
  2. ^ a b c d e Lopes, Nei (2004). Enciclopédia brasileira da diáspora africana. São Paulo, SP: Selo Negro Edições. p. 252. ISBN 9788587478214.

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  1. ^ Archived 2025-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
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