"Èṣù Is Not Satan", Says Tourism Expert Peter Mesewaku

By Dansu Peter  Renowned tourism expert and cultural advocate, Mr. Peter Olaide Mesewaku, has called for a renewed understanding of Èṣù, a p...

By Dansu Peter 

Renowned tourism expert and cultural advocate, Mr. Peter Olaide Mesewaku, has called for a renewed understanding of Èṣù, a pivotal figure in Yoruba spirituality, asserting that Èṣù should not be equated with Satan. Speaking during the 2024 Èṣù Day celebration held on December 23, he emphasized the need to correct historical misconceptions about the deity.

The event, sponsored by the Wura Culture Foundation, was themed to address the widespread misrepresentation of Èṣù as the devil, an error perpetuated by colonial-era translations of religious texts. Mr. Mesewaku, who also serves as the President and Founder of the Black Cultural Heritage and Advocacy Foundation, clarified that his advocacy is not an attack on any religion but rather a mission to reclaim the true essence of Èṣù in Yoruba culture.

Èṣù worshippers in Badagry 

Mr. Peter Olaide Mesewaku during the event at Badagry 

"Èṣù is not Satan. This misconception stems from the 1843 translation of the English Bible into Yoruba by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, where the term 'Satan' was incorrectly rendered as 'Èṣù.' This has led to a lasting distortion of Yoruba spirituality," Mr. Mesewaku explained. "Èṣù is a deity associated with balance, prosperity, and wealth, not evil or malice."

The Èṣù Day celebration, observed in cultural hubs such as Abeokuta, Oyo, and Badagry, is part of ongoing efforts to dispel these inaccuracies. Chief Babatunde Wusu Onitiju, the Baale of Yovokomeh, highlighted Èṣù's role as an intermediary between Olódùmarè (the Supreme God) and humans, emphasizing that Èṣù is respected but not worshipped directly.  

“Èṣù serves as a messenger, ensuring balance and justice in the universe. It is crucial for the Yoruba people to reclaim this part of their heritage,” Chief Onitiju said.

Chief Solomon Alabi, the Otun Babaloja of Badagry, also weighed in, stating, “Èṣù is a symbol of opportunity and fortune. It is wrong to associate the deity with evil; such narratives undermine the richness of Yoruba culture.”

The event underscored the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and correcting historical inaccuracies, which have long distorted the Yoruba worldview. Participants called on cultural institutions and the government to support initiatives aimed at educating the public about the true significance of Èṣù and other elements of Yoruba heritage.

Adapted from CityMood Badagry