Happy Monday, Papa Legba! . In my Vodou lineage, we recognize that there are thousands of Legbas; each nancion or division of Lwa has their own Legba, guardian of the doorway who lets them pass so they can speak and dance with us. “Papa” for us is a term of endearment for partiicular spirits, and here doesnt denote a single Legba as we would (and do!) call all of them Papa. ;) . When folks see that I use this image to represent the Rada Legba, Im often asked about St Lazarus; in my lineage, our Reglemen teaches that the imagery of injury/emaciation/sores/etc is much more in keeping with the Petro heat (and works *beautifullly* to represent Legba nan Petro) but that this image, called Saint Anthony the Abbot, being a little rounder, a lil’ more well fed, holding the staff which is the Poteau Mitan, and surrounded by happy animals, is a better fit for the Rada. . Monday is an AMAZING day to honor the Legbas! Coffee, klerin (white rum), pipes of tobacco, mayi grye (which is toasted corn kernels; they dont pop, they’re more like the old maids in the popcorn bag but we use a high starch corn... delicious!) cassava bread, peanuts, cool water, roasted root veggies... Papa takes many offerings. . Next time you stop in at The Dark Lady, take a glance behind the front door... Legba’s got his own little table guarding the shop’s entrance, and Im sure he’d just love it if you stopped by to say hey. ;) . #neworleans #vodou #houngan #houngansofinstagram #PapaLegba #legba #legbaatthegate #legbananbaryea #guardian #haiti #haitianvodou #lesendeye #voodoo #reglemen #ayibobo #bilolo (at The Dark Lady of New Orleans)