Elegua Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára
Member of Orisha
Elegua depicted as a young man
Other names	Eleggua, Elegu
Venerated in	Yoruba religion, Santería, Candomblé
Region	Nigeria, Latin America,
Ethnic group	Yoruba people

Elegua (Yoruba: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára and Ẹlẹ́gbá, 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 Santería, Winti, Umbanda, Quimbanda, Holy Infant of Atocha, and Candomblé.^[1][2]

In Africa

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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 and Puerto Rico 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" , 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

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

See also

• Papa Legba

References

External links

• Santeria cubana :: Tratado de Eshu-Elegbara
• Santeria.fr :: All About Eleggua Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
• Santeria.fr :: Todo Sobre Eleggua Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
• Santeria.fr :: Tout sur les Eleggua

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