Papa Legba

The lwa of the gate and the crossroads, greeted first in every ceremony.

In Haitian Vodou Papa Legba is the keeper of the gate between the world of people and that of the lwa. Without his permission no other lwa can come. That is why he is greeted first in every ceremony, with a well-known song asking him to open the gate: Papa Legba, ouvri baryè a pou mwen.

He is usually depicted as an old man who walks slowly, leaning on a cane or crutch, sometimes with a pipe, a straw hat and a bag over his shoulder. Behind that fragile figure lies great power: he governs crossroads, doors, roads, communication and language. In Haiti he is often connected with Saint Peter, who carries the keys of heaven, or with Saint Lazarus. His roots lie with Legba or Elegba of the Fon and Yoruba traditions, related to Eleggua in Santería.

According to practitioners Papa Legba is recognised in dreams by images of passage: a crossroads, a gate, a door, a key, an old man with a cane who shows you the way or holds you back. Such a dream is often read as a question about a choice or a new path: is a door opening, or must you first ask permission, or be patient?

An old man kindly showing you the way is usually read favourably: an opening coming. A gate that stays shut, as a time not yet ripe.

Because he governs language and communication, Legba is also seen as the one who carries prayers and messages between the worlds.

Dreamkin does not establish that a dream comes from Legba. Whoever finds such a dream weighs heavily discusses it with a houngan or manbo.