Babalú-Ayé, Lord of the Earth & Health
Symbol: smallpox, epidemics
Also known as Obaluúayé, Oluaye, Ṣọpọna, Shopona, Obaluaiye, Azojano
Babalú-Ayé is the orisha of healing of the land and is the authority on all earthly things. He is called to prevent sickness, as he is the promoter of all cures. He is known to be close to Iku, the force responsible for taking/ending life. Many fear Babalú-Ayé because he is believed to also bring diseases, particularly smallpox, skin diseases, inflammation, seizures, epilepsy, catalepsy, and airborne diseases. In West Africa, among the Ewe, Fon and Yoruba people, he is strongly associated with smallpox, while in the Americas, he is more commonly associated with leprosy, influenza, and AIDS. Equally, he is loved as he heals these diseases and epidemics.
One of Babalú-Ayé’s many properties is that of heat: heat in the body leading to the dispelling of disease and heat generated from the core of the earth. As such, for Babalú-Ayé, any form of sacrificial offering must be done in the daytime, when the temperatures are high.
In Latin American Santería, Babalú-Ayé is one of the most popular orishas. Syncretized with Saint Lazarus (or San Lazaro), Babalú-Ayé is considered miraculous, with an annual pilgrimage on December 17th, when thousands of devotees gather at the Church and Leprosorium of Saint Lazarus in El Rincón, Havana, Cuba. Much like the Biblical story of Lazarus, both man and orisha were once shunned for their obvious illnesses and only had dogs for friends and company. In fact, Babalú-Ayé is known as the protector of animals, especially dogs.
In Candomblé, Babalú-Ayé’s face is so beautiful that no one is deemed worthy to look directly at him, which is why it is covered in palm straw. However, in other traditions, he is known to cover his face because it was riddled with smallpox. Babalú-Ayé is also popular in Umbanda and Macumba traditions. In the Lukumí tradition, Babalú-Ayé was eventually granted back his health, vitality, and prosperity for following the instructions given by Orunla, the great diviner.
Many believe Babalú-Ayé is the son of Yemoja (Yemaya), although his lineage isn’t exactly known. Still, some say that she is his wife and others say their relationship is that of mother and son.
Babalú-Ayé is commonly associated with osain, the herb of the orishas, and he is known to have great knowledge of using plants as medicine.
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References:
The Afro-Cuban Orisha Pantheon
