Elegua ( Yoruba: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára and Ẹlẹ́gbá, also spelled Eleggua; known as Eleguá in

Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...

and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands) is an Orisha, a deity of roads in the religions of

Santería Santería (), also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an African diaspora religions, Afro-Caribbean religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It arose amid a process of syncretism between the traditional ...

, Winti,

Umbanda Umbanda () is a religion that emerged in Brazil during the 1920s. Deriving largely from Kardecist spiritism, Spiritism, it also combines elements from African diasporic religions, Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblé as well as Roman Catho ...

, Quimbanda, Holy Infant of Atocha, and Candomblé.

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 Yoruba (, ; Yor. ) is a Niger–Congo languages, Niger-Congo language that is spoken in West Africa, primarily in South West (Nigeria), Southwestern and Middle Belt, Central Nigeria, Benin, and parts of Togo. It is spoken by the Yoruba people. ...

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''" uba 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. 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.

In Brazil

In Afro-Brazilian religion Elegbara is Exu.

References

External links

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Santeria.fr :: All About Eleggua

Santeria.fr :: Todo Sobre Eleggua

Santeria.fr :: Tout sur les Eleggua
Traditional African religions Yoruba deities Yoruba mythology Brazilian deities Crossroads mythology Liminal gods Trickster gods Santería {{deity-stub

In Africa

Santería

In Brazil

See also

References

External links