Eleggua
/ˌɛləˈɡwɑː/noun
A Yoruba-derived orisha associated in Cuban Santería with crossroads, choices, communication, and opening or closing paths.
Did you know?In Regla de Ocha, Eleggua is commonly invoked before other orishas because he is regarded as the messenger and guardian of the crossroads, though his forms and names vary across Yoruba-derived traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Yoruba
Èṣù
“A powerful orisha associated with crossroads, communication, negotiation, and unpredictable change.”
Precolonial period
Yoruba
Èlégbára
“A Yoruba name or title associated with Èṣù; its precise relationship to later forms such as Elegguá is discussed by scholars and varies by tradition.”
18th–19th Century
Yoruba–Atlantic diaspora
Elegba / Elegbara
“Diasporic forms of the deity’s name appearing in West African and Afro-Atlantic religious traditions.”
19th Century
Cuban Spanish
Elegguá
“The Spanish-orthographic form used in Cuba for a Yoruba-derived orisha of roads, thresholds, messages, and choice.”
20th Century
English
Eleggua
“An English-language spelling of the Cuban religious name, used in discussions of Santería, Lukumí, and Yoruba-derived spirituality.”