Key Info

- Trickster 

- Personification of mischief 

- Shows that there are two sides to every issue 

- Stands directly in the middle of the path to the worlds of happiness and desolation and regulates them for all beings 

- When portrayed as Elegua's brother he is more aggressive and acts as an agent of chaos and misfortune

Brief Bio

Eshu goes by many names across the world — from West Africa to Brazil — and is associated with many things. Chiefly, beyond being a trickster, he is a messenger between the gods and humans, and has been described as the god of uncertainty, chance, and accident. Moreover, he is a master of all languages on Earth and loiters around gateways or crossroads.

He originated from the Yoruba people (in West Africa) and is considered one of the primary Orishas. Due to Eshu’s broad reference across the world, there is more than one interpretation of him.

Depending on the region, Eshu is considered distinct or identical to another Orisha (Elegua), and his personality, while typically unpredictable, may vary from a benevolent spirit to more of a chaotic, dangerous entity. 

Within the Yoruba, Eshu was considered a messenger between the gods and humans, delivering prayers and sacrifices to the heavens. He was a neutral force to human life, seeking to add balance. He protected travelers, but also sparked arguments or misfortune among humans (which usually contained a kernel of wisdom to learn).