Elegguá
Elegguá (also Elegbá, Eshu Elegbara, Exu in Brazil) is one of the most important Orixás of Yoruba religion and its Afro-Caribbean syncretic forms (Santería, Candomblé). Lord of the roads, opener of paths, owner of the doors, intermediary between humans and the other Orixás. Tricky and child-like, his sacred colours are red and black.
Mythology and importance
In Yoruba theology, Elegguá is the messenger Orixá: the one who carries the offerings of humans to the Orixás and brings the answers of the Orixás to humans. No ceremony begins without first invoking Elegguá — he is "the first to eat", the first to be honored. If you do not invoke him at the beginning, the path of communication with the other Orixás stays closed. He is the guardian of all crossroads, doors, transitions — physical (real intersections, doors of houses) and metaphorical (life decisions, beginnings, endings).
His personality is paradoxical: simultaneously child and ancient elder; tricky and wise; fun and serious. As child, plays mischievous: he will hide things, will move objects, will produce small "coincidences" to teach lessons. As ancient elder, he has the wisdom of millennia. The Yoruba say that Elegguá "is the first and the last" — first in receiving offerings, last in retiring after ceremony. In Catholic syncretism, is associated with the Holy Child of Atocha in Cuba (or with Saint Anthony of Padua in some traditions, or the children of Cuba on the Day of Kings).
Symbolism and worship
Symbols: cement head with shells for eyes and mouth (the typical "Eshu" of altars — a head sculpted in cement representing the Orixá presence), red and black colours (alternating in clothes and offerings), "garabato" or curved staff, three keys (he opens the three worlds), cigars and rum (offerings he loves). His place: behind the front door of the house, looking outwards, vigilant.
In modern devotion to Elegguá: 1) First invoked when starting any spiritual ritual — opens the path. 2) Place his small altar behind the front door of the home for entry-exit protection and harmonisation. 3) Make offerings on Mondays (his day) and on important transitions (changes of home, beginnings of projects). 4) Ask his guidance in difficult life decisions — he opens the appropriate path. 5) Recommended offerings: candies, candy of all kinds (he is child!), rum, cigar, fruits.
Also known as
- Eshu Elegbara
- Eshu Elegbá
- Exu (Brazil)
- Holy Child of Atocha (syncretic)