Atibon Legba

Atibon Legba, also known as Papa Legba, is one of the most ancient lwa in Haitian Vodou. His roots go back to the Fon people of Dahomey in present day Benin. He is the guardian of crossroads and the keeper of all spiritual gateways.

In Haiti, every Vodou ceremony begins and ends with Legba, because it is through him that communication between spirits and humans becomes possible. Without his permission, no message can be received, and no prayer can reach the world of the lwa.

Legba is often seen as an old man carrying a cane or a bundle of keys, but to me he is not simply the one who holds the keys. He is the key itself. He opens and closes the paths that lead to the sacred world of Vodou, allowing knowledge, protection, and truth to flow.

Starting any spiritual work without him would feel like walking into a home without knocking. For this reason, I could not begin Inktober with anyone else. He is the doorway, the messenger, and the bridge between our voice and the unseen.

He reminds us that nothing begins without respect, and nothing grows without permission. To meet Legba is to learn patience, humility, and understanding. He teaches that every path has a lesson, and every choice has a spirit behind it.

Printed as a giclée on fine art paper using archival inks, this piece preserves the depth of each color and detail, keeping the artwork’s spirit vivid and enduring over time.