Elegua

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

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 Santería, Umbanda, Quimbanda, and Candomblé. He is syncretized with Saint Michael, Saint Anthony of Padua, or Holy Infant of Atocha.^[1][2]

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.^[1][2]

Santería[]

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. 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.^[2]

In Brazil[]

In Afro-Brazilian religion Elegbara is one of the titles of Exu.^[2]

See also[]

• Papa Legba

References[]

External links[]

• Santeria cubana :: Tratado de Eshu-Elegbara
• Santeria.fr :: All About Eleggua
• Santeria.fr :: Todo Sobre Eleggua
• Santeria.fr :: Tout sur les Eleggua

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