Papa Legba

For quite some time the internet and books on Haitian Vodou have had a buzz about Papa Legba. On no other Lwa, except perhaps the Baron, has so much misinformation been spread. "Papa Legba is the universal door opener" "Papa Legba works for everybody" "You can call Papa Legba yourself" "Go to the Crossroads at midnight to call Legba"

Legba and Papa Legba

In the Fon tradition of West Africa, predating the diaspora, Legba is a young trickster god dressed in red and black that bears similarities to the Yoruban deity Eshu. Although similar to Eshu, he does not have the same nature often attributed to Eshu. However the focus now is Legba, who in this pre-diaspora belief system was seen as a young god that was called upon for potent fertility rites of a very sexaul nature. 

The Papa Legba of Haiti is that of an old man who is no longer potent but instead crippled and observant. He is no longer a trickster but instead a wise old man in imparting wisdom to the people. Now, he sits guarding the gates of the peristyle during ceremony allowing the Lwas to come forth and express themselves. No longer does he wander the roads, but instead patiently waits for those to come to him. 

Dispelling The Falsehoods Of Papa Legba:

"Papa Legba is the universal door opener"

This is a patently false notion. Papa Legba is a Lwa of a Haitian Vodou and his purpose exists within the context of ceremony. Outside of those ceremonies you will find that he has little interest. Remember he is an old man and most old men won't be bothered with frivolous things.

"Papa Legba works for everybody"

What does it mean when someone says a Lwa will work for everybody? It means that if you go to an houngan or mambo if no particular Lwa is standing up to help your case that there are certain Lwas that will work for you. Papa Legba is one but so is the Baron, Erzulie Dantor, and even Kalfou. (There are more but it is not necessary to discuss them here.) In other words, these spirits will work for you when you see the houngan or mambo, not when you call them because you have not been given authority to call them.

"Go to the Crossroads at midnight to call Legba"

As stated earlier, Legba is no longer wandering the roads. Instead if you go into the crossroads at night you will likely meet malicious spirits or Kalfou. Kalfou does not play games or forgive easily. He is all business and will mess you up real quick if you approach him the wrong way.

"You can call Papa Legba yourself"

This is very important to address because there are so many false and dangerous notions about calling Lwas. The Lwas are complex spirits. The have many peculiarities and taboos that are rarely discussed openly. Much of the information written about them come from eager new vodouisants looking to make a name for themselves. Like a bad game of telephone: bad information get worse as it goes from mouth to mouth.

Calling any Lwa is very very dangerous. Not just because an imposter might enter your space, but rather that you may actually have a Lwa show up. Lwas can be demanding and petty like children or cats. If you don't know how to appease the spirit it can wreak havoc on your life. And just to emphasize the point: you have never formally met Legba, how will you know it is him that answers when you call? What will you do when you or someone else gets possessed by a spirit? 

It is not worth the risk. If you truly feel a call to Vodou there are man many houses and societies to go to that can bring you face to face with the Lwas in the proper setting.

Find a houngan or mambo, find a house.

If Vodou is calling you or you believe Lwas are manifesting in your life, contact a houngan like myself and get a consultation. That consultation will determine what is actually going on with you. More so, it will open doors in your life to have a better understanding of your spiritual self and put you in touch with your spirits. Becoming part of a house is like getting new extended family with a whole lot of good spirits that want to help elevate your life.