Legba has his origins with the Fon people Of Dahomey (Benin) Africa and is said to be the guardian and trickster of the crossroads and entrances. He is one of the most widely worshipped loas and is known by several names. In Surinam in Brazil he is known as Exu, in Trinidad, in Cuba he is known as Elegua, and in Haiti and New Orleans he is known as Papa Legba. Papa Legba is the master linguist, the trickster, warrior, and the personal messenger of destiny. He has the power to remove obstacles and he provides opportunities. All ceremonies begin and end with Papa Legba, and there can be no communication with any of the other loas without consulting him first. His gift for linguistics enables him to translate the requests of humans into the languages of the spirits and loas.
This piece was inspired by the ancient Legbas found in terracotta and earthenware pots of Africa. Legbas come in many forms. Some are depicted as male and female, some with enhanced manhoods, some as healers, and some as protectors. Still others can be apologetic legbas and petitioned for forgiveness when a person has insulted the gods through awful behaviors like rape and burglary. Sometimes legbas are created with 2 or three heads. Many of the legba busts have cowry shells for eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.
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