There are no journeys that can begin without Esu. He is the keeper of the gates; He stands at the cross roads, guiding us in the right direction. It is in the natural order that we take our first steps glancing and keeping the Trickster happy.

Olofi told Eleggua, "...being the youngest and my messenger, you will be the biggest on earth and the heavens, and nothing will be possible without contacting you." Therefore he is very well respected and admired in Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, and the many other countries where the belief system arrived in the souls of millions chained to slave ships; he is even known in places like England, Spain, France, Argentina, and all across the U.S. as many reclaim their culture and/or find new ways of devotion. He is known as Esu Bara, Elegbara, Eleggua, Legba, and by the many other names of the different avatar or paths such as Laroye, Niño de Atocha, and Alayeki. He can be playful like a child, or expose the wisdom of old age; he can be kind and caring to those in need, or ruthless in those who try to fool the Orisas. He can travel in the brilliant light of enlightenment, or through the suffocating darkness of evil.

There is a Pataki (tales of the Orisas) about Esu becoming the Divine Messenger and Trickster : When humanity was born Ollodumare summoned all the major Orisas to the heavens. He told them they must all contribute to the care and evolution of humanity, and therefore decide what each would be responsible for. They came back days later and presented their decisions to Ollodumare: Oggun carried iron from the earth's core and the tools of progress and war; Obatala brought peace and tranquility, and the enlightened arts; Ossain brought ewe(herbs) and the knowledge of their powers; Oya brought the marketplace along with the winds that carry spirits on the passage of death. When Ollodumare reached Esu, he saw he was empty handed and asked Esu in a firm voice: " Where is your responsibility?" Esu responded, "Ollodumare, you who is also known as Oba Orun (King of the Sky), know that Orisas are above man, and more powerful. "Why should we then serve them, when humanity should be serving us?" Ollodumare firmly told him to leave and not to return empty handed. Esu came back wearing a feather on his head, and nothing in his hands. At this site Ollodumare began losing his patience, and asked Esu if this was defiance he saw. Esu pointed to the feather on his head and said, " Ollodumare, you who is Olorun, Owner of the Sky, this is my responsibility." I ask you to let me be the one to test humanity, to trick them, and see where their heart, and limits, are at. " Let me be the one to travel back and forth bringing light or darkness, confusion and clarity." Ollodumare was impressed by the young Orisa and decided to name him Divine Messenger and Trickster. The feather on Esu's head represents his ability to travel between light and darkness, therefore the keeper and opener of all doors and paths; be it the path to balance or the road to self-destruction. He is the beginning of life and it's unpredictable end.

Another pataki explains why Esu is always fed first before the other Orisa. Olofi was very sick, and the medicines prepared by many Orisa were not helping. Eleggua who was still a child then, asked his mother to take him to Olofi's bedside, assuring her he could find a cure. Eleggua went to the "manigua" (woods), and with great joy picked the ewe he needed; he loved being in the manigua, discovering new wonders and all sorts of medicines, powers, and spirits. He prepared the medicine and brought it to Olofi, who drank it with a long face thinking it wouldn't work. All of a sudden the glow returned upon Olofi's face, and he begen to feel much better. He was certainly surprised and pleased with this child that did what other Orisa could not. He told Eleggua, "though you are the youngest, you shall be the biggest in the earth and heavens, for you will be my messenger. Everyone will have to come to you before doing anything, and share with you their food and prosperity." Then Olofi proceeded to tell all the Orisas that they should always feed and take care of Eleggua first, for he would open the doors and roads to everything; he would be first at all celebrations, ceremonies, and feasts. Olofi gave Eleggua the keys that open all doors, dimensions, paths, and journeys.

When we make an offering to any Orisa Esu is always fed first, opening the path to the divinities. The only Orisa that sometimes eats before Esu is Ogun, being the metal blade of the sacrificial knife and the first to touch the blood of the ebo. When voices lift up the sacred songs at ceremonies and Bembes, Esu is the one we sing to first; when we beat the drums for the Orisas, Eleggua's rhythms are the first ones played. Babalawos and Iyalochas work with Eleggua constantly knowing his different paths or avatar. Depending on the path, they are received in otan(stone), sea-shell, coconut, or sculpted in cedar. They are usually close to the door guarding homes, on the floor next to the Warriors (Oggun and Ochossi)or close to Ifa's shrine;outdoors next to the Eggungun(Dead Ancestors), and carried in small pouches in pockets and purses. Eleggua is the first Orisa received, usually along with the Warriors: Ogun, Ochossi, and Osun.

It is said there are uncountable paths of Esu, and that these branch out into other manifestations. When we receive Eleggua we are given the name of the avatar or path.It carries some of the Babalawo's or Iyalochas ashe in the otan(stone)or other material Esu chose to reside in, prepared with herbs, minerals and blessed by our own ori (divinity within).All though Elegua consume almost anything,some of his favorite things are: epo (palmoil), oti (rum or gin), smoked fish, obi (coconut), orogbo (bitter kola nut), cigars, yam, oyin (honey), and all sorts of candies.

Here are some of the characteristics, important days, propitiation, and taboo of Esu.

Eleggua has been syncretized in Latin America with a few catholic saints; Eshu Beleke is known as Santo Niño de Atocha or Holy Infant of Prague, and Arere Obi Oke is known as Saint Anthony of Padua. In the Lucumi tradition, the day of St. Anthony, June 13th, is considered a Feast Day for Eleggua, .and the day of St. Benito, August 24th, is also Eshus' Day; St. Martin of Porres is also associated with Eleggua.

Red and black are his colors, and his numbers are 3 and 7.Esu is links and completes the trilogy with good and evil ; only he can eat with Ollodumare and Nana Buruku adding up to three again, and Ifa gave him three cowries to speak with. He is present when life is born, and when death arrives; he is there when red blood flows into life, and when the black void takes over.

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