Eṣu

See also: eṣu

Yoruba

Etymology

Etymology is unclear, some propose it may come from è- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ ṣù (“to bring together, to harmonize”), literally “The one who allows for coexistence”, though this may simply be a folk etymology.

This is said to refer to the role of Èṣù as an intermediary between the evil and good forces of the universe.

Compare with Edo Èsù, Ede Idaca Èchù, Itsekiri Èṣù

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /è.ʃù/

Proper noun

Èṣù

The orisha and primordial divinity (irúnmọlẹ̀) of judgement, trickery, crossroads, and the messenger of Olódùmarè in the Yoruba religion. He is believed to epitomize the duality of goodness and malevolence, and is the intermediary between humanity and the evil forces, the Ajogun.
Synonyms: Ẹlẹ́gbà, Ẹlẹ́gbára, Láàróyè, Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà, Ọ̀gá, Èṣù Láàlú

Èṣù Láàlú, Èṣù Ọdàrà, Èṣù elépolẹ́nu; Èṣù Láàlú, Ògiri-òkò! ― Eshu Láàlú, Èṣù Ọdàrà, Èṣù who has red oil on his mouth; Èṣù Láàlú, the stone wall! (oríkì Èṣù)
(proscribed) Satan, the Devil
Synonyms: Sátánì, Bìlísì

Usage notes

Proscribed by Yoruba academics, linguists, and worshippers of the Yoruba religion, as the orisha is not equivalent to the figure Satan found in Abrahamic religions, and its use stigmatized worshippers of Èṣù as satanists, and by extension, perpetuated foreign stereotypes of Yoruba and other African indigenous religions. Alternatives presented include Sátánì and Bìlísì, directly loaned from the words for Satan in English and Arabic respectively.

Derived terms

eléṣù (“a worshipper of Èṣù”)
Èṣúbíyìí (“Yoruba name meaning, Èṣù gave birth to this child”)
Èṣúkáyọ̀dé (“Yoruba name, meaning, Èṣù brings joy”)

Descendants

→ English: Eshu
→ Portuguese: Exu
- → Portuguese: exu
→ Krio: eshu