There are so many definitions of Eshu that it is difficult to say which one is the most accurate. I personally believe they all are since every definition gives us a different point of view, but the information remains the same.

      For some people Eshu is a naughty mischief-maker who creates confusion, has fun making people get stuck in nonsense, and enjoys scattering ideas and things. Eshu can really make you lose your nerve in a short period of time. For others, Eshu is a Machiavellian entity whose actions are only used for evil. Years and years of lack of information and a narrow-minded religious point of view, together with an absurd syncretism have disfigured the figure of Eshu.

      Eshu is part of the tradition of the Afro-Brazilian cults, an ancient religion transmitted by mouth of word. These cults finally divided into:

      – Umbanda

      – Quimbanda

      Eshu is in both.

      I will explain the differences between Quimbanda and Umbanda in another chapter.

      The origin of Quimbanda dates back to the19th century with ancient Macumba, a mixture of cults from Angola, Congo and Candomblé-de-caboclo. Years later, Macumba included Kardecist Spiritism and Occultism and became sorcery: this was then called Umbanda, while ancient Macumba was called Quimbanda.

      These African cults underwent many changes and to make a review of all of them would be too long. Therefore, I will only explain the most relevant and strongest cults.

      I will summarise these in 7 periods:

      1- There were two main cults: the indigenous cults before the discovery of Brazil (indigenous religions and those of the Amazonian tribes) and the Portuguese European cults that arrived to Brazil, i.e., popular Catholicism and Kardecism. The mixture of both lead to Pajelanza.

      2- The Afro-Brazilian cults from the North were called Candomblé and those from the South Batuques.

      The Portuguese used these words to describe black people’s reunions. The government allowed these meetings to keep them busy and so that they would cause no problems. During the 19th century they divided into Sudanese and Bantu. The Sudanese integrated by the Angolan gave origin to the Menina.

      3- Nagôs prevailed over the others: their Orishas, language and rituals reached very far. Together with Pajelanza they originated Candomblé-de-Caboclo in Bahia.

      The combination of Angola Congo and Pajelanza gave rise to the Catimbó in the Northwest and in the North.

      4- Nagôs are Muzurumlin, the Angola Congo and the Candomblé-de-Caboclo gave rise to the ancient Macumba, which later became sorcery.

      5- Ancient Macumba together with Catholicism, Occultism and the Kardecist Spirit gave rise to a new religion: Umbanda.

      Ancient Macumba transformed into a cult to Eshu and Quimbanda arose in Rio de Janeiro.

      6- The cult to Eshu evolved and adapted different ceremonies and rituals from Candomblé, Batuque and Quimbanda.

      7- In Brazil there are currently two types of Umbanda, the one from Angola combined with Candomblé: Omolocô, and the one from the South that approaches Batuque and is the crossed Umbanda.

      On 16th November 1908 a new religion was born which was adopted by nearly everybody: Umbanda.

      Quimbanda welcomed the influence that the Batu from Angola, Congo and Mozambique left in America. Quimbanda was based on Eshu, the element of nature that is part of a whole.

      For them, Eshus are emaciated spirits: some are evolving spirits and others are quiumbas.

      The temples of religion follow more or less the same guidelines as those of Umbanda.

      There is an altar dedicated to one or several Eshus, depending on the owners of the place.

      In Umbanda, Eshu is the communicator of the Orishas whereas in Quimbanda Eshu is a doctor, a fortune-teller, a healer, a shaman, an exorcists and a sorcerer, he has the power over all things.

      Eshu’s powers may fix matrimonial disagreements, heal illnesses, provide success in love, reverse any request, or even cause death.

      Eshu is the owner of the Earth, he has several names depending on the place where he manifests and the type of work, but there is always a head Eshu.

      I have made a chart with the kingdoms of Eshu and Pomba Gira so as to classify them and know how to use them, also describing their tasks and their power level.

      In Quimbanda, both Eshus and Pomba Giras are spirits of light. They are severe, authoritarian, fair, cheerful and responsible. They will never judge your actions, they will never decide if what you are doing is right or wrong, you ask them for help and in return you must thank them. If not, they will turn against you.

      There are two types of Eshus in Quimbanda: eguns and those from the astral.

      Eguns are the spirits of the followers of this religion, people who have evolved and after death continue to be with us working in this field, while those of the astral are the Quimbanderos. Quimbanderos rule, direct and administer the kingdom. Each Quimbandero has its own position and specific tasks.

      Eguns are led by Eshus.

      Eshu is on earth, on fire, in air, in water, and in cemeteries.

      Eshu uses black because black is the hidden power and red energises the hidden.

      Eshus are painted in red because red is the colour of strength, vitality and life.

      Eshu is the lord of limit.

      Always bear in mind that good and evil are not in Eshu but in the human being.

      Reino Das Encruzilhadas (Kingdom of the Crossroads)

      They dwell in the corners

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