Papa Legba on of the most well known spirits of Haitian Vodou and also one of the most misunderstood spirit.
The reason I decided to make this article is because I see people ask for infirmation on Legba here I will put correct information because I see allot of misconceptions and misinformation about this wonderful Lwa.
Who is Legba ? You ask
Well Legba most commonly referred as "Attibon Legba" which means good old Legba.
He is the second Lwa to be called in a ceremony he is served with yellow and purple in some houses but this is not common brown and purple some brown and white.
Legba is NOT served with black and red this is highly disrespectful to a Rada Lwa as a general rule is that Rada Lwas are not served with black or red this is the color of Petwo,Nago and Guede.
Legba is often mistaken as a aspect of Met Kalfou or the other way around which is entirely false Legba is NOT a aspect of Kalfou because Kalfou has no aspect in Rada he is too hot of a spirit.
The Petwo Legba is Legba-Nan-Petwo now he is served with white and red not red and black.
Petwo Legba is often seen as a younger version of Legba and given foods which often contains pepper.
Legba is also often mistaken as a spirit of crossroads which is also false because the crossroads are Kalfou literally.
Legba is connected to doors and some say gates but mainly door after all he open the door to every rite in ceremonies.
Legba is a old man and is often given a cane,a good corncob pipe,tobacco and a Djakout (straw bag).
Some people say that Legbas altar needs to be on the floor I completely disagree after all Legba is a old man and he is not a snake for his altar to be on the ground.
Legba is given Vodka,Coffee,peanuts,candy,chicken and more.
The Saint that is used to represent Legba is most common Saint Lazarus.
Altars to Legba is often kept appart of the other Lwas and is often put by the door.
In ceremonies Legba is the guardian of the Pateu Mittan.
Papa Legba is the Lwa that is served when one does not know ones Eskort (spiritual court) because Legba is with everyone.
Even though Legba is a old man he is always on the move so dont panic if he doesnt show himself right away he is just a very busy man.
Legba has a wife she is a rather obscure Lwa named Adjessi.
He can help with many things like clearing your path.