The case of Esu, the primordial ‘trickster’ Orisha of Yoruba lore, is not just an interesting curiousity - it’s a symbol of the choices, accountability , and fluidity that shape human existence. Yet, Esu is often misunderstood, particularly due to colonial influences that distorted its true nature. I think it would be good to discuss it, so first things first, who or what is Esu?
Many people today believe Esu to be the Christian equivalent of Satan or the devil, but that is not the case. Esu is actually a powerful Yoruba Orisha, a powerful and important force that serves as an intermediary between humankind and the heavens. This entity is known as a trickster because Esu often presents humankind with conundrums - interesting choices we have to make in the journey of life. Yoruba lore often depicts Esu as a personality you come across on a pathway, often at a crossroads - a beautiful euphemism about making choices.
Esu is also a master of disguise, and an essay by Funso Aiyejina describes Esu as “simultaneously short and tall, hard and soft, the dark short man who is yet so huge no one can encircle him; Esu, an androgynous deity, divine messenger, linguist, interpreter and divine enforcer of the will of Olodumare.” Essentially Esu is fluid in form and can shapeshift at will, earning the praise name Elagbara, the one with many manifestations, and in philosophical terms is the deity of choice and free will.
Orunmila is the Yoruba deity of wisdom, an omnipotent and omnipresent being and an ara orun (one who resides in the heavens). Essentially the bedrock of Yoruba cosmology, Orunmila is often depicted as being very close to Esu, who serves as the informant, adviser and enforcer between the heavenly and earthly realm.
This philosophy of choice, embodied by Esu, resonates deeply in my daily life, every choice I have must be considered carefully. Should I stay in my bed all day or do I get up and write an article? Should I remain in my comfort zone or take a trip and go on a new excursion? Should I go out drinking today, or do I zone in and finish some art? I have to make the smartest choices that align with my long term vision, professional and financial goals. All choices, minor to major, need to be considered carefully so I know I did my best with the time I was given.
Esu also cautions against judgment based on partial information, teaching us to withhold from making statements or taking action if we don’t have the full picture. Rather than descending into shouting arguments, choose when to speak carefully, and seek to communicate rather than win arguments.
Some other cultures have a similar deity and they’re all as mystical as they are misunderstood. The Igbo people have Ekwensu, Ghanaians have Anansi and there is Loki of Norse mythology. These entities all represent the choices humanity has to make on a daily basis, from the subtle left or right turn, to the much harder ones, such as revolts against the status quo. This scene from American Gods TV show is an example of the hard choices we have to make for a free and more just world. Some things and some situations require revolts, lest we become oppressed. Ekwensu, like Esu, is misunderstood for the same reasons. Though not inherently evil, the deity is associated with strategy, negotiation and sometimes war, symbolizing the choices and duality of human nature. Anansi in Ghanaian folklore embodies cleverness and the trickster spirit, teaching lessons about human behavior through cunning and riddles. Loki mirrors these traits by being a shapeshifter and agent of chaos, often forcing humans to confront the truth about their nature.
There is no existence of the devil or Satan in traditional Yoruba land or many other African cultures for that matter. This an entirely new concept that stemmed from colonialism and their Christian worldview, and it affects the Yoruba and African perspective in quite a serious way. By vilifying Esu, society has attributed all its mistakes/misfortunes/bad choices to the deity, essentially outsourcing accountability for one’s own poor choices. Now Esu is something people fear, instead of something you keep close, a superpower for making informed decisions and floating through life with the divine wisdom of the ancestors. It’s difficult to quantify just how much negative impact colonialism has had on Africans, but all is not lost. As we begin to rediscover ourselves as Africans, we begin to tap into ancient wisdom and powers that will catapult us into becoming our true and deserved selves.
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowthers pioneered the translation of the Bible into Yoruba and he chose Esu to be the equivalent of the Christian devil. Perhaps his negative experience as a slave caused a strong rejection of Africanism by the Crowthers, and being people of influence, spearheaded the “Esu is the devil” campaign, without being aware of the consequences on Yoruba civilization. Now people perform all kinds of atrocities and blame the devil for their actions, it shouldn’t be so. You are a part of creating your reality, not a leaf being blown around by the wind so keep Esu close, make smart and patient choices, and take accountability for your own life.
enduring wisdom reminds us to embrace agency, make thoughtful decisions, and take accountability for our lives. In a society that often seeks to absolve responsibility, perhaps Esu is the reminder we need to navigate life with courage and clarity.
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