Babalú-Ayé

Babalú-Aye (from Yoruba Obalúayé; also called Oluaye, Omolu, Ṣọpọna, Ayé in Trinidad Orisha, or Obaluaiye) is one of the Oriṣa or manifestations of the Supreme Deity Olodumare in the Yoruba religion of West Africa. Babalú-Aye is a spirit of the Earth and is strongly associated with healing and illness.

He promotes the cure for illnesses. He is always close to Iku (the force responsible for taking life), as he promotes healing for those who are close to death. However, some fear Obaluaye because he is believed to bring disease upon humans, including smallpox, for which he is known as Ṣọpọna.

His cult powers and spells are used against all kinds of diseases, but particularly against skin diseases, inflammation, and airborne diseases that can cause epidemics. They are also used to cure people with seizure problems, epilepsy, and catalepsy.

Heat is also a property of Babalu-Ayé. Fever, the body heating up to expel a disease, is believed to be Babalu-Ayé acting on the human body, as well as the heat that comes from the depths of the earth. Therefore, any kind of sacrifice or offering to this oriṣa must be done during the day, when the temperature is higher. Usually considered hobbled by disease, he universally takes grains as offerings.