« C’est la divinité protectrice qu’on retrouve à l’entrée d’une maison (Agbonu lɛgba), d’une ville (To Lègba) » (Kakpo 2010, 97), associée à la fécondité. Sa fonction principale est celle de « messager entre les humains et les autres Vodun vers l’être Suprême » (République du Bénin, 6). Il lui est également attribué la fonction de gardien, car on retrouve sa représentation à l’entrée de certaines maisons, à des carrefours ou à l’entrée de certains marchés. Son rôle est de détecter toute personne n’ayant de bonne intention. En effet, après l’initiation au Fâ, on peut se faire ériger son propre Fâ Lɛ́gbà. Ainsi, il existe plusieurs types de Lɛ́gbà: « […] d’un couvent (Hun lɛgba), d’un marché (Axi lɛgba) » (Kakpo 2010, 97). Elle est généralement représentée par une motte de terre avec la présence d’un phallus.
“The protective divinity found at the entrance to a house (Agbonu lɛgba) or a town (To Lègba)” (Kakpo 2010, 97), associated with fertility. Its main purpose is to act as a “messenger between humans and other Vodun towards the Supreme Being” (République du Benin, 6). It also has the function of a guardian, as it can be found at the entrances to houses, or at markets and crossroads. Its role is to detect anyone with bad intentions. After initiation into the Fâ, individuals can have their own Fâ Lɛ́gbà erected. There are several types of Lɛ́gbà, including “of a convent (Hun lɛgba), [and] of a market (Axi lɛgba)” (Kakpo 2010, 97). The Lɛ́gbà is generally represented by a lump of earth with the presence of a phallus.
Kakpo, Mahougnon. Introduction à une poétique du Fâ. Les presses Universitaires Yaoundé, Yaoundé, 2010.
République du Bénin. Abécédaire des Voduns days. Ouidah, 2024.
A person whose role is to be a historian, storyteller, poet and musician. They ensure the transmission of culture and oral history by preserving the m...
Originellement issu du Fɔ̀ngbè, le terme désigne un autel portatif fait de métal principalement, et réalisé pour commémorer un-e défunt-e qui, de son ...
Bracelet whose name means “metal of the Tchamba,” the tchambaga symbolizes the iron shackles of enslaved people and is used to contact ancestors, as w...
Protective amulet common in Togo and other parts of West Africa in various forms. The term gris-gris is apparently more widespread for protective amul...
Tea prepared on the ground in a teapot and served in cups. This way of making tea has its roots in the Arab world.
Traditional Senegalese dish with fish, rice, and vegetables. In 2021, the dish was classed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Porridge made with 'Sunguf' cereal flour, such as millet. The term Sunguf is also used to refer to any kind of flour.
Animist people from the Kédougou region (South-East Senegal). Their religion is subject to stereotypes, as is the case for other religions, such as Vo...
Square cap worn by men and women alike. This word, of North African origin, is rejected by certain Senegalese socio-cultural groups, who use Mbakhana*...
Conical straw hat often used by Fulani people when accompanying their herds.