Is elegua a Santeria?

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 Santeria (Santería), Umbanda, Quimbanda, and Candomblé.

Is Orisha a Santeria?

The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being.

Who is Orisha elegua?

Eshu (aka Elegba and Elegua) is the orisha of chance and uncertainty. Known as the “trickster,” he lurks at gateways and doorways to introduce chaos and accident into the lives of humans.

What are the santos in Santeria?

Santeria is polytheistic, featuring 16 prominent deities in its pantheon. These are called oricha, ocha, or santos (“saints”). The term oricha can be both singular and plural, because Lucumí, the ritual language of Santería, lacks plural markers for nouns.

What is elegua known for?

Elegua is known in Cuba and Puerto Rico as the “owner” of crossroad, gates and pathways (caminos), especially between the earth and the divine realms. All ceremonies and rituals must first have his approval before taking place. He is a very powerful saint, one of the warriors, but still keeping his “child-like” nature.

Why do people believe in elegua?

To worship or celebrate our ancestors, we always ask Eleguá first to open a spiritual path to God. Eleguá represents beginnings and endings so may appear to you as a child or an old man. He presents in nature as the stones in the road. Like Hermés/Mercury (Greek/Latin), Eleguá is the messenger of the gods.

Who is the most powerful saint in Santería?

He is known for his powerful axe. He is considered to be one of the most powerful rulers that Yorubaland has ever produced. In the New World, he is syncretized with either Saint Barbara or Saint Jerome….

Is Papa Legba and elegua the same?

Papa Legba is thought to have emerged from the Yoruba and Dahomeyan diaspora as a continuation of the Orisha Elegba. This emerged as Lwa Papa Legba in Haitian voodoo, spirit Papa Laba in New Orleans Hoodoo and as the Oricha Elegua in Santeria.

Who is the king of the orishas in Santeria?

Changó (also spelled Shangó, Ṣango, or Xango) is one of the most popular orishas in Santeria and is the king of our religion on earth. Chango is the orisha of drumming, dancing, thunder, fire, male virility, and leadership.

Who is Chango in the Santeria Church of the Orishas?

Changó teaches us that there is still a chance to change and redeem oneself after a lifetime of mistakes. Changó is a loving and fiercely protective father orisha to his children. He is the chief orisha in the Santeria Church of the Orishas, the tutelary orisha of Rev. Dr. E. (our founder), and he works miracles in our lives every day.

What is the personality of the Orisha Eleggua?

His personality is playful, mischievous, and childlike, but also clever. He is a cause of accidents and of conditions involving the blood. All rituals start with making offerings to Eleggua in recognition of his position as an intermediary between humans and orishas.

Who are the gods and goddesses of Santeria?

In Santeria, orishas are the gods or beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The number of orishas varies among believers. Santeria originates from an original African belief system and in this, there are hundreds of orishas. On the other hand, New World Santeria believers generally only work with a handful of them.