West African Version Statue of Legba by Jeremy-Burgin/Wikimedia Commons (edited)
Legba is a deity in West African Vodun as the youngest son of Mawu. In Haitian Vodou, Legba is an elderly man on crutches and acts as the gatekeeper that allows practitioners to communicate and interact with the Loa.
Appearance[]
He usually appears as an old man on a crutch or with a cane, wearing a broad brimmed straw hat and smoking a pipe, or drinking sparkling water. The dog is sacred to him.
Elegua and Santeria[]
Eleguá is known in Cuba and Puerto Rico as the orisha and "owner" of caminos, or roads and paths. All ceremonies and rituals in Santería must first have the approval of Eleguá before progressing. He is the messenger of Olofi. Within the "Regla de Ocha"[Cuba], he slightly differs from Echu, who in this case is seen as his brother, by having less dangerous and less aggressive characteristics. Eleguá moves
Veve of Legba
silently; in contrast, Echu "breaks through". Manifestations of Eleguá includes Akefun, Aleshujade, Arabobo, Awanjonu, Lalafán, Obasín, Oparicocha, and Osokere.
There is a pataki (story) in Santería in which Olodumare gives Eleguá the keys to the past, present, and future; for this reason, Eleguá is often depicted holding a set of keys. A figure of Eleguá may be placed in the house behind the entrance door.