Eshu is the Orisha of communication and language, thus, he acts as a messenger between human beings and the deities, among many other attributions. He is worshiped on the African continent by the Yoruba people, as well as in African-descendant religions, such as in candomblé from the state of Bahia, in the tambor de mina from the state of Maranhão, among others. Despite the identical name, it should not be confused with the Umbandan eshus, who have different cosmology.
Legend[]
Eshu is perceived as an orisha with multiple and contradictory aspects, which makes it difficult to define him coherently. Eshu partially serves as an alternate name for Eleggua, the messenger of all Orishas, an intermediary being between human beings and deities and, for this reason, nothing is done without him and without offerings being made to him before any other orisha.
Eshu is always in the midst of divergent world forces, controlling and regulating both the world of happiness and the arena of hopelessness.
In Brazil, Eshu is well known as the "orisha from outside", as the guardian of the outside of temples, houses, cities and people. He is also closely linked to paths and especially to crossroads.
Eshu is also linked to male sexuality and fertility. The sexual character of Eshu is less pronounced than that of Leba (Dahomean vodum with similar characteristics and attributions), but his older figurines have a very pronounced phallic character.
In the Angolan nation, Eshu is called Aluvaiá or Pambu Njila. In Candomblé Jeje, he is called Lebá.