Eleguá is the gatekeeper of crossroads and the opener of all ceremonies. In his dance he plays like a child and teases the audience.
According to EcuRed, when Elegguá comes down he runs off and hides behind the door. Then he hops and twists, pulls childish faces and plays like a child. A characteristic step is standing on one foot and spinning quickly. He teases the audience and can vanish and reappear unexpectedly; some of his movements are quite sensual. With his garabato (hooked stick) he mimes clearing a path through dense undergrowth. The other dancers imitate his movements, alone or in groups, moving counterclockwise.
According to EcuRed, Elegguá is always given a garabato, a hooked stick of guava wood: his object of power, with which he mimes clearing a path through the undergrowth in the dance. His colours are red and black (or white and black); he wears a frock coat, short trousers and a red hat, combined with black and decorated with beads and cowrie shells.
According to EcuRed, Elegguá is "the first to be called in every religious act or celebration", and the last to take his leave. The oru seco also begins with the toques for Eleguá, who opens the doors to all possibilities.
Toques: in the oru seco, Elegguá is the first to receive three toques: Latopa (La Topa), Bobo Araye and Abukenke. See the Eleguá toque.