In Yoruba mythology, Eshu (other names include Elegua, Eleda and Elegba) is an Orisha, and one of the most respected deities of the tradition. He has a wide range of responsibilities: the protector of travelers, god of roads, particularly crossroads, the deity with the power over fortune and misfortune, and the personification of death, a psychopomp. Every magical ceremony or ritual began with an offering to Eshu; failure to do so guarantees failure in the intent of the ceremonyEshu at Pantheon.org. Eshu is revered within the Orisa-Ifa system of the Yoruba as well as in syncretic faiths like Santeria/Lukumi developed by the descendents of enslaved West Africans in the Americas, where Eshu was identified with Saint Anthony or Saint MichaelEshu compared to various deities from world mythology, depending on the situation. He is identified by the colours red and black, or black and white and his caminos, or paths (compare: avatar) are often represented carrying a cane, shepherd's crook, as well as a pipe.

Eshu is a trickster-god, and plays frequently tempting choices for the purpose of causing maturation. He is a difficult teacher, but a good oneIs Esu the Bad Guy?. As an exampleWhat Really Is Esu?, Eshu was walking down the road one day, wearing a hat that was red on one side and blue on the other. Sometime after he departed, the villagers who had seen him began arguing about whether the stranger's hat was blue or red. The villagers on one side of the road had only been capable of seeing the blue side, and the villagers on the other side had only been capable of seeing the red half. They nearly fought over the argument, until Eshu came back and cleared the mystery, teaching the villagers about how one's perspective can alter a person's perception of reality, and that one can be easily fooled. In other versions of this tale, the two tribes were not stopped short of violence; they actually annihilated each other, and Eshu laughed at the result, saying "Bringing strife is my greatest joy".

Eshu in different cultures

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The cult of Eshu is widespread in the New World, as well as in Africa, and he is worshipped under many different names and attributesNames and worship of Esu:

• Exu: Although connected with the Orisha Eshu or Eleggua of the Yoruba based traditions of Candomble and Santeria, the Exus of Quimbanda are in fact spirits of the deadCasa Exu dos Ventos - Quimbanda Temple.

• Ellegua: In Santeria, Eleggua is the trickster child-god

• Legba: In Vodou, Papa Legba is the intermediary between the divine and humanity, while Kalfu is his Petro manifesation.

• Lucero: In Palo Mayombe, Lucero (also Nkuyo\Mañunga\Lubaniba) is the deity of ballance and guidance through paths.

References

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External links

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• Attributes and Music of Eshu
• Cleansings and Ewe Orisa Esu (Sacred Herbs of the Orisa Esu)
• Two webcomics depicting Eleggua as a superhero

Yoruba mythology | Crossroads mythology | Trickster gods | Orisha | Santeria | Quimbanda | Nigerian Yoruba Article | Exú | Eshu | Eŝuo | Eshu | Exu (orixá) | Eshu