Editing Eshu

{{Short description|Deity in the Yoruba religion}}
{{Infobox deity
| type         = Yoruba
| name         = Èṣù
| other_names  = Echú, Exú
| member_of    = Irunmole
| venerated_in = [[Yoruba religion]], [[Santería]], [[Candomblé]], [[Umbanda]]
| image        = ESU-ELEGBA.jpg
| caption      = 
| deity_of     = Travelers, Messenger, Crossroads
| region       = [[Yorubaland]], [[Latin America]]
| ethnic_group = [[Yoruba people]]
}}
{{Yoruba people}}
'''Èṣù''' is a pivotal [[orisha|Òrìṣà/Irúnmọlẹ̀]] in the Yoruba spirituality or [[Yoruba religion]] known as ìṣẹ̀ṣe. Èṣù is a prominent primordial Divinity (a delegated '''Irúnmọlẹ̀''' sent by the '''Olódùmarè''') who descended from Ìkọ̀lé Ọ̀run, and the Chief Enforcer of natural and divine laws – he is the Deity in charge of law enforcement and orderliness.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Falola |first1=Toyin |title=Esu: Yoruba God, Power, and the Imaginative Frontiers |date=March 2013 |publisher=Carolina Academic Press (June 24, 2013) |isbn=978-1611632224}}</ref> As the religion has spread around the world, the name of this Orisha has varied in different locations, but the beliefs remain similar.

== Overview ==
The other names of the Irúnmọlẹ̀ called Èṣù includes; ''Ẹlẹ́jẹ̀lú'', ''Olúlànà'', ''Ọbasìn'', ''Láarúmọ̀'', ''Ajọ́ńgọ́lọ̀'', ''Ọba Ọ̀dàrà,'' ''Onílé Oríta'', ''Ẹlẹ́gbára Ọ̀gọ'', ''Olóògùn Àjíṣà'', ''Láàlú Ògiri Òkò'', ''Láàlù Bara Ẹlẹ́jọ́'', ''Láaróyè Ẹbọra tí jẹ́ Látọpa''.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Fatunmbi |first1=Awo Baba Falokun |title=Esu-Elegba: Ifa and the Divine Messenger |date=June 1993 |publisher=Original Pubns (January 1, 1993) |isbn=978-0942272277}}</ref>

Èṣù is powerful, relevant, and ubiquitous to the extent of having every day of the four-day (ancient/traditional) Yorùbá week as his day of worship (''Ọjọ́ Ọ̀ṣẹ̀''), unlike all other Irúnmọlẹ̀s and Òrìṣàs (primordial Divinities and deified Ancestor Spirits; "''ọjọ́ gbogbo ni ti Èṣù Ọ̀darà''").<ref name=":0" />

The controversial cognomen; '''A-bá-ni-wá-ọ̀ràn-bá-ò-rí-dá''' (He-who-creates-problems-for-the-innocent) highlights the complexity of the nature of this highly unpredictable Deity called '''Èṣù Ọba Ọ̀dàrà''' (who has his abode at crossroads) across all strata of Yorùbá society in general and of spiritual communities in particular.

Èṣù is the messenger not only to the [[Olódùmarè]], but also to the other Irúnmọlẹ̀s/Òrìṣàs. He is also the intermediary between ''Ajoguns'' (evil spirits) to the Irúnmọlẹ̀s/Òrìṣàs and the ''ẹ̀dá èèyàn'' (human beings); he is the one who distributes, and also supervises the distribution of sacrifices (''ẹbọ'') to the Ajoguns.

In some Yoruba traditions [[amulet]]s in the form of Eshu covered with [[Opon Ifá|divination boards]] are used.<ref>[https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co104493/amulet-of-the-god-eshu Amulet of the God Eshu]. [[Science Museum Group]].</ref>

==Name and role==
Èṣùu partially serves as an alternate name for [[Elegua|Eleggua]], the messenger for all Orishas, and that there are 256 paths to Eleggua—each one of which is an Eshu. It is believed that Èṣù of the ìṣẹ̀ṣe Religion is an Òrìṣà similar to Eleggua, but there are only 101 paths to Eshu according to ocha, rather than the 256 paths to Eleggua according to Ifá.<ref name="Lele2010"/> Èṣù is known as the "Father who gave birth to Ogboni", and is also thought to be agile and always willing to rise to a challenge.<ref name="P89">{{cite book|author=Robert D. Pelton|title=The Trickster in West Africa: A Study of Mythic Irony and Sacred Delight|year=1989|publisher=University of California Press|page=[https://archive.org/details/tricksterinwesta00robe/page/161 161]|isbn=978-0-520-06791-2|url=https://archive.org/details/tricksterinwesta00robe/page/161}}</ref>

Both ocha and Ifá share some paths, however. Eshu Ayé is said to work closely with all Òrìṣà including Òrìṣà [[Olokun]] and is thought to walk on the shore of the beach. Èṣù Bi is a stern and forceful avatar, appearing as both an old man and young boy, who walked with Shangó and Oyá (the initial two Ibeyi), and Eshu Bi protects both of these, as well as all other small children. Eshu Laroye is an avatar believed to be the companion of Oshún and believed to be one of the most important Eshus, and the [[avatar]] of Eshu Laroye is thought to be talkative and small.<ref name="Lele2010">{{cite book|author=Ócha'ni Lele|title=Teachings of the Santería Gods: The Spirit of the Odu|date=24 June 2010|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co|isbn=978-1-59477-908-4|page=251}}</ref>

Èṣù is always at the middle of divergent world forces. He controls and regulates the two extremes – the world of happiness, joy, and fulfilment, as well as the arena of destruction, hopelessness, and sorrow.

Èṣù always demands from those who have to give to those demanded for it within the premises of sacrifices, rituals, and propitiation. He maintains the delicate balance of good and bad – just and unjust. He protects towns and villages, Priests and Priestess (''àwọn Ẹlẹ́gùn - tí wọ́n ní ẹ̀rẹ́ ní Ìpàkọ́''), and Devotees and Awos against evil machinations, always favouring those that performed the necessary and appropriate sacrifices (''ẹbọs'') and other forms of rituals; "''ẹni tó bá rúbọ l'Èṣù ń gbè''"! 

'''Èṣù Láàlù''' is a bosom friend, working partner, confidant, and close associate of '''Ọ̀rúnmìlà Baraà mi Àgbọnnìrègún''', the one who practises and teaches [[Ifá]], an esoteric language of [[Olódùmarè]] (containing divine message of life) through a very complex divinatory system, and who also teaches wisdom. 

==Other names==
The name of Eshu varies around the world: in [[Yorùbáland]], Eshu is ''Èṣù-Elegba'' or Laalu-Ogiri Oko; ''Exu de Candomblé'' in [[Candomblé]]; ''Echú'' in [[Santería]] and Latin America; ''Legba'' in [[Haitian Vodou]]; ''Leba'' in [[Winti]]; ''Exu de Quimbanda'' in [[Quimbanda]]; ''Obi'' in [[Birongo]], ''Lucero'' in [[Palo (religion)|Palo Mayombe]]; and ''Exu'' in Latin America.<ref name="rar">[http://www.rootsandrooted.org/esu2.htm Names and worship of Esu]. Roots and Rooted. Retrieved 1 August 2015.</ref>

==Brazil==
Exu is known by various forms and names in Afro-Brazilian religions. They include Akesan; Alafiá; Alaketo; Bará, or Ibará; Elegbá, or Elegbará, Inan; Lalu, or Jelu; Laroyê; Lon Bií; Lonã; Odara; Olodé; Tamenta, or Etamitá; Tiriri. The most common forms or praise-names of Exu are Exu-Agbo, the protector and guardian of houses and terreiros; Exu-Elepô, the god of [[palm oil]]; Exu lnã, the god of fire; and Exu Ojixé, a messenger god.<ref name="l"/>

===Candomblé===
A shrine dedicated to Exu is located outside of the main [[terreiro]] of a Candomblé temple, usually near the entrance gate. It is, in general, made of a simple mound of red clay. These shrines are similar to those found in Nigeria.

Ritual foods offered to Exu include palm oil; beans; corn, either in the form of cornmeal or popcorn; and farofa, a manioc flour. Male birds, four-legged and other animals are offered as sacrifice to Exu. In each offering made to an orixá, a part of the food is separated and dedicated to Exu.<ref name="l"/>

===Umbanda===
In the [[syncretic religion]] of [[Umbanda]], Exu may have a different meaning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blog.mataverde.org/exu-pagao-e-exu-de-lei/|title = Exu Pagão e Exu de Lei| date=28 October 2013 }}</ref> Usually in Umbanda Exu is not considered a single [[Deity]], but many different spirits. Some of the most popular Exus are Exu Caveira ("Skull Exu", represented as a skeleton), Exu Tranca-Rua ("Street Locker", opener and closer of spiritual ways) and Exu Mirim ("Little Exu", a spirit that resembles the personality of a child or teenager). In Umbanda, a [[Pomba Gira|Pombagira]] (female consort of Exu) may also be considered a kind of Exu, commonly venerated in the practice of Brazilian [[Love magic]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nascimento |first1=Adriano Roberto Afonso do |last2=Souza |first2=Lídio de |last3=Trindade |first3=Zeidi Araújo |title=Exus e Pombas-Giras: o masculino e o feminino nos pontos cantados da umbanda |journal=Psicologia Em Estudo |date=December 2001 |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=107–113 |doi=10.1590/S1413-73722001000200015 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Mistranslation in the English language and on Google==
Translational errors of English speaking missionaries resulted in the Yorùbá word Èṣù being rendered and returned as "devil" or "satan" in the mid nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Esu is Not the Devil: How a Yoruba Deity Got Rebranded |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/yoruba-esu-is-not-the-devil/|date=2017-12-14|website=OkayAfrica|language=en|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> The first known instance of this came from the freed slave turned Christian, Bishop [[Samuel Ajayi Crowther]]'s "Vocabulary of the Yoruba" (1842) where his entries for "Satan" and “devil” had Esu in English. Subsequent dictionaries over the years have followed suit, permeating popular culture and Yorùbá societies as well. Lately, many online campaigns have been set up to protest this, and many activists have worked to correct it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Èșù Is Not Satan; Who Èșù Is and Who He Is Not|url=https://alamojayoruba.com/esu-is-not-satan-who-esu-is-and-who-he-is-not/|date=2019-01-04|website=Alámọ̀já Yorùbá|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> There have also been quite a number of academic work examining the mistranslation.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Adefarakan|first=Temitope|date=2008|title='At a Crossroads': Spirituality and The Politics of Exile: The Case of the Yoruba Orisa|journal=Obsidian|volume=9|issue=1|pages=31–58|jstor=44489275|issn=2161-6140}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Discourse with Jimi Disu - Professor Sophie Oluwole|url=https://www.mixcloud.com/classicfm973/the-discourse-with-jimi-disu-professor-sophie-oluwole/?play=fb|last=classicfm973|website=Mixcloud|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref>

The translation on [[Google Translate]] took up the same earlier mistranslations. This led to a number of online campaigns<ref>{{Cite web|title=Is Esu really satan?|url=https://web.thecable.ng/is-esu-really-satan|date=2018-12-25|website=TheCable|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2022-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817214339/https://web.thecable.ng/is-esu-really-satan|url-status=dead}}</ref> until 2016 when Nigerian linguist and writer [[Kola Tubosun]], then an employee at Google, first changed it back to less derogatory connotations. When the changes were reverted, he changed them again in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Èṣù" isn't "the Devil"; But You Knew That Already|url=http://blog.yorubaname.com/2016/12/16/e%e1%b9%a3u-isnt-the-devil-but-you-knew-that-already/|date=2016-12-16|website=Yoruba Name|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> The translation for Èṣù to English now remains "Èṣù" while "devil" and "satan" translate to "bìlísì" and "sàtánì" respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Once again, Èṣù no longer translates to "devil" or "satan" or "demon" on Google Translate.pic.twitter.com/EpW2wm3Ywv|url=https://twitter.com/kolatubosun/status/1126419569168519168|last=Túbọ̀sún|first=Kọ́lá|date=2019-05-09|website=@kolatubosun|language=fr|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> Tubosun's 2024 collection of poetry ''Èṣù at the Library'' pays literary homage to this episode.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Masobe Books (@masobebooks) on X|work=X (formerly Twitter) |url=https://x.com/masobebooks/status/1803653087195705792}}</ref>

==Appearances in popular culture==
*Eshu appears in [[K. A. Applegate]]'s fantasy series ''[[Everworld]]'', serving as the main antagonist of its eighth book, ''Brave the Betrayal''. He is a trickster god who tries many times to emotionally manipulate and mentally break the book's narrator, Jalil Sherman, but is ultimately defeated when Jalil proves too strong to give in to his mental tricks and magical illusions.
*Eshu appears in 2025's Castlevania Nocturne S2E4 as a three headed spirit with horns to guide the protagonist Annette. Annette first believes she is seeing the devil who has come to claim the souls of the damned, but when she discovers the benevolent spirit is trying to guide her to the Spirit World she sees him as Papa Legba, who is a Voodoo Loa known as the guardian of crossroads.
*The 1974 blaxploitation film ''[[Abby (film)|Abby]]'' features Eshu, but mostly as a deranged and ruthless sex deity that possesses a young woman and causes her to sexually assault and brutally murder various men in the process.
* Eshu appears as the main antagonist of the film ''[[Scooby-Doo! Ghastly Goals]]''.
* The 2016 crime film ''[[The Infiltrator (2016 film)|The Infiltrator]]'' features a "priest" of Eshu employed by the Medellín cartel who tests the loyalty of Robert Musella (Bryan Cranston), an undercover federal agent working in Operation C-Chase.
* Eshu features in the stage name "Eshu Tune" of rapper and comedian [[Hannibal Buress]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ayanwuyi |first=Israel |date=August 18, 2023 |title=Esu is Not Satan: Exploring the Indigenous Yorùbá Worldview |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=RRHREAAAQBAJ |access-date=25 August 2023 |website=Google}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Traditional African religion}}
* [[Elegua]]
* [[Kalfu]]

==References==
{{reflist|2|refs=

<!--unused<ref name="ad">{{cite book | last = Adeoye | first = C.L. | title = Ìgbàgbọ́ àti ẹ̀sìn Yorùba | publisher = Evans Bros. Nigeria Publishers | location = Ibadan | year = 1989 | isbn = 9781675098 | pages = 123-132 | language = yo}}</ref></ref>-->

<ref name="l">{{cite book | last = Lopes | first = Nei | title = Enciclopédia brasileira da diáspora africana | publisher = Selo Negro Edições | location = São Paulo, SP | year = 2004 | isbn = 9788587478214 | pages= 266–267}}</ref>

}}

{{Orisa-Ifá}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Traditional African religions]]
[[Category:Yoruba deities]]
[[Category:Yoruba mythology]]
[[Category:Brazilian deities]]
[[Category:Crossroads mythology]]
[[Category:Trickster gods]]
[[Category:Santería]]