Papa Legba
Image from New Orleans Voodoo Tarot,
Sally Ann Glassan, illustrator
Venerated by all of Voodou, the real Lwa Papa Legba is nothing like the character from the 3rd season of the television program "American Horror Story." That show added to the usual superstitions promoted by Hollywood and pulp fiction writers about Voodou.
Papa Legba is actually the Lwa presiding over Speech, Communication and more ...
His most essential role is as Guardian and Controller of the Crossroads: the Gate between this ordinary world and the Spirit World where the Loa reside. Thus, Papa Legba is the first Lwa honored in the rites of virtually every Voodou Hounfor, so that he will open that Gate, allowing the Lwa to manifest and participate in the Seremony.
Here is the version of his traditional salutation prayer that I was given by my Mambo Joleen Jackson in my American Voudou training:
(In Creole)
Papa Legba ouvre baye pou mwen,
Atibon Legba Ouvre baye pou mwen.
Ouvre baye pou mwen, Papa, pou mwen passe.
Le’m tounnen map remesi Lwa yo!
(In English)
Papa Legba, open the gate for me,
Atibon Legba, open the gate for me.
Open the gate, Papa, for me to pass.
When I return I will thank the Lwa!
Whenever invoking Papa Legba, it is good to have a fresh drawing of his Veve (sacred, spiritual conduit-diagram - shown below) on the altar - or more traditionally, in cornmeal on the floor.
It is also traditional to pour a little Rum in offering: I offer it in a small bowl, reserved for this function, set next to the Veve on the altar. (My floors are hardwood, so pouring Rum directly on them would ruin the floor's finish.)
Now, if you have seen that film An American Horror Story, dump that creepy image of him out of your head ... it's nothing more than a figment of Hollywood's sick, twisted imagination.
It is his usually benevolent & forgiving, fatherly demeanor that makes him an excellent choice for one's first contact with a Lwa.
- Sidenote: Some time ago, while the weather was hot and muggy, I was just starting a celebration. As happens in every Hounfor, I first invoked Papa Legba, asking him to open the Gate.
It being very late at night, I thought it best to respond. Opening the door, I found a very old man with a cane. He looked like he might be homeless.
He said he had been taking a long walk, and was "dry" - asking if he could get something to drink.
Well, I invited him in, gave him a chair, and got a glass of nice cold water for him. Taking it, he asked if I didn't have anything "a little stronger." Apologizing, I told him I only rarely have any alcohol in the house.
He appeared satisfied, and slowly drank the water. Then he handed the glass back, went to the door and, opening it, stepped out.
Just before he closed the door, chuckled and said, "It's always good to keep a little spirits handy...you never know who will drop in!"
About a minute after he closed the door - it hit me! So I quickly opened the door, but unfortunately the fellow was nowhere to be seen. But I knew then, and I still know now, it was Papa Legba himself who came knocking att my door, responding to my invocation of him that night.
In both Haitian Vodou and American Voudou, Legba usually appears as a sometimes cranky, sometimes giddy, always humorous old man with a wooden cane, wearing a broad brimmed straw hat, and often smoking a pipe or cigar.
Papa Legba's sense of humor can often be quite rowdy and extremely, even embarrassingly, bawdy.
Yet, as with all Loa - who exist on a higher, more powerful dimension than us - when approaching Papa Legba, we always do so with utter, genuine reverence and respect.
Legba is syncretized with the Catholic St. Peter (who holds the Keys to Heaven) and also St. Anthony of Padua (Catholic Patron of Lost Items.)
As such, his Feast Days on Feb. 22 (old Catholic Calendar) or June 29th, depending on whom you ask, when syncretized with St. Peter ... and June 13th as St. Anthony of Padua.
(Dont get too anal about these Feast Dates, you can celebrate Papa Legba on any and/or all of them!)
In the African Nations of Benin, Nigeria and Togo, Legba is perceived as young trickster, ofttimes horned and enormously phallic. It is for this reason that certain superstitiously ignorant religions associate him with their perception of the devil.
Legba's shrines are frequently located at the gates of rural African villages.
- He is always happy to be given gifts such as rum, lighted red & black, white & red or yellow candles, strong black coffee, cane syrup, a wooden cane, a pipe and tobacco, a cigar, small candies, toys (especially keys) plantains, coconut, and playing cards.
You can make offerings at any time - especially on his Days & Feasts as well as when making a special request and gratitude-payment for his help.
Legba's Veve
An efficacious way to see if Papa Legba is well-disposed to becoming present to you at any time, is to carefully draw his Veve (as shown above) in black on a piece of red paper. Don't be lazy, using a copier to generate the Veve draw it by hand. Artistic talent isn't necessary - Sincerity-of-Intent is. Then, drip three drops of rum on the center of the Veve, and with genuine respectful reverence, requesting him to allow you to come into his sacred presence, gently drop three pennies onto the Veve.
Count the number of "heads" facing up.
- 2 or 3 heads-up indicates Papa Legba's positive response for contact, with 3 heads-up pennies being the strongest positive ressponse.
- 0 or 1 heads-up means "not at this time - try again later."
Because Papa Legba is responsible for Crossroads and Gates - his powers include removing all kinds of obstacles.
In this pastime, he is similar to, and can be symbolized by the Hindu demigod Lord Ganesha.
- If you use an image or statue of Lord Ganesha in this way, don't call him by that name - always refer to him as Papa Legba"
So if you are in a situation that presents difficult blockages or obstacles to resolve, Papa Legba is the go-to Lwa to help you!
A friendly word of warning: Don't bother Papa Legba with trivial pursuits. Always put forth your own best efforts to overcome obstacles and finding missing objects before seeking his help.
He can become exceedingly cranky if you lean on him for your own comfy convenience.
Voodou is an inter-dimensional process of spiritual participation, not a quick and easy means of getting whatever you want, whenever you want it.
Also, like all Lwa, Papa Legba must be compensated for his efforts in your behalf.
So when making a request (while giving him an offering from the list above) promise to give him a special gift in gratitude at a specific time in the very near future.
Never neglect to give him that offering when you promised to do so. When disappointed, Papa Legba's anger can become quite distracting to your peaceful existence!
All things considered, just as Papa Legba is the first Lwa invoked in Voodou Rites, and due to his usually pleasant and fatherly demeanor, he is truly the best first Lwa with whom budding Voodouisants can safely come into contact.
Also, like all Lwa, Papa Legba must be compensated for his efforts in your behalf.
So when making a request (while giving him an offering from the list above) promise to give him a special gift in gratitude at a specific time in the very near future.
Never neglect to give him that offering when you promised to do so. When disappointed, Papa Legba's anger can become quite distracting to your peaceful existence!
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There is another manifestation - perceived by some Voodouisants as the dark side of Legba -- and by others as an entirely separate Lwa - that you should know about, especially if you're going to visit a physical Crossroad.
In order to keep that Lwa's negative energy separate from the positive energetics of Papa Legba's page here, please Click Here to learn about this antithetical Lwa.
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Beni Ou,
Dieudonne Bokor
Copyright © 2019, Dieudonne Bokor (aka W.A. Ryan)
