Papa Legba
Legba
ORIGIN:
Dahomey
Legba is the affectionate name by which the West African spirit Eshu Elegbara is often called. Eshu Elegbara appears in the mythologies of various West African people under very similar names (basically all variations on the same name). In Dahomey, he is specifically called Legba.
In Fon cosmology, Legba is the youngest of the Creator Mawu-Lisa’s twelve children. The original intent was to divide the universe between these twelve but it was apportioned in order of birth and so by the time it was Legba’s turn, nothing was left. Mawu-Lisa compensated him by appointing him messenger and mediator between spirits and humans. Legba sees all; hears all and knows all. It is crucial to keep him happy and propitiated because otherwise he will not relay messages to the spirit world or may even deliberately mess them up.
ICONOGRAPHY:
Legba is depicted as a giant, thrusting phallus
SEE ALSO:
- Eshu Elegbara
- List of Lwa
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
