In the religious system worshipped by Orisha, Babalú-Ayé is a commendable name for the spirit of the earth and is closely related to infectious diseases and rehabilitation. He is Orisha, representing the god Olorun on earth.
The name Babalu Aye means “Father of the Earth” and it refers to the authority exercised by this orisha on all things on the earth, including body, wealth, and material property.
Babalu Aye is still the god who cured these diseases. Babalú-Ayé, who is awed and loved, is sometimes called “the supreme wrath of God” because he punishes people for transgression. People respect Babalu Aye very much and avoid calling his real name because they do not want to cause an epidemic.
Who is Babalu Aye?
Babalu-Aye is a tormentor of illness and is called by beggars, patients, and people with disabilities. Although he is as susceptible to infection as infections, he is regarded as compassionate and humble.
Babalu-Aye is depicted as covered with sores, so skin infections are the specific areas he affected.
Babaluye is equivalent to the Bible Lazarus mentioned in the parable of Jesus. The name Lazarus was also used by a medieval order to care for people with leprosy (a disfiguring skin disease).
Origins of Babalu Aye in African Countries?
Although it is difficult to determine the exact origin of Babalú-Ayé, he has a long history of ewes in West Africa, Fung’s and Yoruba.
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Yoruba
Babalu Aye is widely respected in the Yoruba region, commonly known as Shapona, and is said to dominate the earth and smallpox.
When he claimed to be a victim, he asked for respect and even gratitude, so people sometimes paid tribute to him with the praise name Alápa-dúpé, meaning “the one who killed and thanked him”.
In a commonly narrated story, Shapona is old. He participated in the celebration at Obatalá Palace, the father of orishas. When Shapona tried to dance, he stumbled. All the other Orisha people laughed at him, and he in turn tried to bend them with smallpox.
Obalá stopped him and drove him into the bushes, and he has lived there ever since. Some people use this story to suggest that Shapona is in exile among the neighboring Fon tribes mainly west of Yoruba.
Fon
In the Fon district of Benin, the god is often called Sagbatá. He also owns the earth here and has a strong connection with smallpox and other infections.
In the Fon community, his worship of God is very diverse, where he respects many obvious gods. Since the deceased was buried on earth, the performance called “Avimadya” is considered to be the leader of the ancestors.
Because all people live on earth, this makes our survival possible, and because Sag Bata is considered by many to be the eldest son of the god, he is considered the supreme deity (with the Yoruba The concept of seniority contrasts sharply with Obatalá).
Ewe
Among the ewe people in Ghana and Togo, there is a similar figure, praising the name Anyigbato (the ewe is “owner of the earth”), which is closely related to the disease and the displaced people.
It is believed that he wore a snail shell and wandered around at night. The snail shell is also the main feature of his fetish.
Does Babalu Aye also have relationships with other Orishas?
There are several (sometimes contradictory) descriptions of Babalú-Ayé’s genealogical relationship with other orishas.
Babalú-Ayé is usually considered the son of Yemayá and the brother of Shango, but, according to some traditions, he is the son of Nana Burukú, the Fon deity in Yoruba Pantheon, with freshwater flowing underground and possessing incomprehensible female power Related, but others assert that she is his wife.
However, some ritual lineages insist that Nanú (Banú-Ayé)’s mother, Nanú, is a strong and mysterious Orissa.
Certain ancestry of Candomblé is related to mythology, which proves that Babalú-Ayé is a child of Yemaya and Nana Burukú. In these myths, Nana Burukú is the real mother of Babalú-Ayé.
He abandoned him and died of exposure to crab bruises on the beach. Yemaya found him there, brought him under her protection, brought him up to recover, and educated him in many secrets.
Due to Babalú-Ayé’s knowledge of the healing power of forests and plants, he is closely related to the herbal medicine Orisha Osain. Oba Ecun described the two orishas as two aspects of a single existence.
What are the attributes of Babalu Aye?
His colors are royal purple, yellow, and brown. His sacred number is 17th, and December 17th is a day usually associated with his festival. Many people set up shrines and altars to thank him for his many blessings.
Burlap is sacred to him and is used for products and objects made for him as well as Mariwo or palm leaves. Once he was so poor, his body was devastated by disease, he could only wear palm leaves, because that was his only choice.
Common Symbols
- Crutches
- Reeds
- Cowrie shells
- Dogs.
What are several themes in the worship of Babalu-Aye?
Narratives and ceremonies with important cultural information about Babalu Aye include various recurring and interrelated themes.
Earth
In Africa and America, the worship of Babalu Aye is often associated with the earth itself, and even his name connects him to the earth itself. However, he also said that other material blessings should be provided to his followers.
The connection between Babalu Aye and the earth can be regarded as a symbol of a series of problems, which can be understood as an emphasis on the central position of matter in human life.
Disease and Pain
Babalu Aye has long been known as “the god of smallpox”, and of course can be linked to physical disease and the changes it brings.
Since Babalu-Aye treats sick people and rewards them with health, his stories and rituals usually regard the body as the main experience place for the limited and sacred power of mankind.
Similarly, his fabulous me line evokes the idea of people living constantly in the limits and physical pain, and people call on him to protect them from the disease.
Permeability of things
In the Americas, there are always various holes in the lid of the Babalú-Ayé ship, which can be entered, but it also symbolizes the difficulty of completely controlling the disease.
These holes are usually compared clearly with the sores on the pimple skin. This permeability also appears on the edges of burlap and raffia tassels used to decorate origami, called mariwó. Internal things move outward, external things move inward.
Secrets and revelations
Silence and speech, darkness, and light, the contrast between secrets and revelations pervade the worship of Barbara Aye. According to tradition, certain things must be kept secret to maintain their ritual ability or health function.
In turn, inappropriate information disclosure can lead to illness and other negative manifestations. On the contrary, proper information disclosure can provide important teaching and guidance.
Evil and justice
Babalú-Ayé himself used sacred narratives as criminals in some cases, and Babalú-Ayé was sentenced to exile because he broke the social contract. The physical pain in his la leg turned into emotional pain in exile.
Only after spending a lot of time in isolation did he return to society. In other cases, he was hailed as the justest person of all orishas. Similarly, he is often referred to as a punishment for human sin.
What are the offerings made to the Babalu Aye?
The offerings made to the Babalu Aye are:
- Toasted Corn
- Pop Corns
- Beans, Grains
- Bread
- Dry White Wine
- Cigars
Conclusion
Heat is also a property of Babalu-aye, such as fever, body heating to drive diseases, it is the heat that Babalu-aye acts on the human body, and from the depths of the earth.
Therefore, any form of sacrifice or dedication must be made to this orisha during the day, not at night, when the temperature is higher. Usually plagued by disease, he generally used grain as a sacrifice
His worship is closely related to the earth itself, and his god rine is often separated from frequented areas. His ritual tools include ritual brooms for purification, covered clay vessels, and abundant shells.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Who is Oshun?
Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas, and, like other gods, she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy, and spite.
What does San Lazaro represent?
In Cuban Catholicism, Lazarus, the patron saint of the poor and sick, is represented as a homeless beggar surrounded by dogs. Some say he was a fourth-century bishop, but most Cubans imagine him as the Biblical Lazarus—the poor man who cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, who Jesus raises from the dead.
Who is the god of Santeria?
Santería is polytheistic, involving the veneration of deities known as oricha. These are often identified both as Yoruban gods as well as Roman Catholic saints. Various myths and stories are told about these orichas, which are regarded as subservient to a transcendent creator deity, Olodumare.
What does Babalu Aye mean?
Babalu-Aye is the orisha of healing in all its aspects, of the land, of respect for the elderly and protector of health. It is called whenever necessary to prevent infirmity. He is also known as the Orisha of health.
What kind of religion is Santeria?
Santeria (Way of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added. The religion is also known as La Regla Lucumi and the Rule of Osha. Santeria is a syncretic religion that grew out of the slave trade in Cuba.