BABALÚ AYÉ: Who he is, paths, offerings and much more

Babalú ayé is the Yoruba deity associated with illness, epidemics, death and the dead. Known as a nocturnal orisha who carries out his work when the sun goes down, and during the day he takes shelter in the shade, he is a deity greatly feared by believers and practitioners.

Learn much more about this figure who resides in cemeteries, never shows his face and who gathers so many devotees around the world, by reading this article.

Who is it?

Babalú ayé, in Yoruba Obaluàyé, is the orisha of pestilence and misery.

Considered the divinity that governs and is associated with evils, epidemics and diseases such as leprosy, measles, smallpox, sexually transmitted, all those that affect the skin, among others.

It is feared and respected in traditional African religions because it governs deadly diseases and is known by many other names, such as: Azojuano, Samponá or Sakpatá.

They have also named him the “Wrath of the supreme god” because he is not afraid to punish those who act against the rules, good customs and laws.

That is why those who know or venerate him, respect him, recommend not pronouncing his real name so as not to invoke diseases or epidemics.

Etymology

The term Obaluàyé translates as Oba or king and Aiye which means earth, the name of the orisha then means king and lord of the land.

However, this is not the only way to call this feared and important Orisha, knowing him as:

Babàlúaíyé: father of the world Babá Igbona: father of fever Obá – ilu Aiye: king, owner, lord of life on earth Omolu: king, owner, lord of life.

History

His cult comes from Benin, lands located to the west of the African continent, where he is called Azowano or Yorùbá Babàlúaíyé, which translates as father of the world.

In Africa, it is known in many places, receiving different names, such as Samponá or Sakpatá, which is the healer of serious and feared diseases such as smallpox and leprosy.

There is an ancient story that tells why on this continent it is so feared and so revered:

One day Babalú ayé was walking near some populated areas, generally he never entered them to avoid them seeing his straw suit that covered his marks and wounds.

But that day Babalú felt hungry and thirsty, he approached the village and asked its inhabitants for something to eat and drink.

The people, seeing everything covered in straw, felt afraid and denied him food, and also asked him to leave the place.

Babalú Ayé left without saying anything, but soon serious and terrible things happened in all those villages: crops and crops were burned, women became sick and became sterile, smallpox and other epidemics broke out.

The locals remembered the character covered in straw, who was denied food and drink and who was also expelled from the villages.

Sensing that all these evils were related to their bad attitude, they looked for the man dressed in straw and begged his forgiveness, pleading for him to heal the earth, the plants and the people.

Babalú Ayé, He listened to them and returned to the village to attend to their requests.

As he was still hungry and thirsty, people attended to him and gave him food and drink, they honored him and thanked him.

The lands were healed, to be the fertile and useful soils they had previously been and the sick people regained their health and just as the pests arrived, they also disappeared.

Babalú Ayé, before leaving, told them to never again deny food and drink to the hungry and thirsty, so he turned around and continued on his way.

When he returned to his land, the Orishas were celebrating and he observed their dance and celebration from afar, without getting closer because the shyness and shame of his body covered in straw did not allow him to do so.

When Oyá, the goddess of the wind, also known as Yànsá, saw him, she ordered the wind to lift Babalú ayé’s clothes and healed all his marks and scars, so that everyone could see that he was a strong and beautiful man.

Since then, Babalú Ayé and Oyá have worked together against death and illness, providing protection to men against their power.

Characteristics

Some of the characteristics of this deity of the Yoruba pantheon include:

It inspires a lot of fear and respect, because it represents or governs diseases that in Africa were generally fatal. Despite being associated with diseases, this orisha is also the spirit that cures these ailments and ills. For this reason he is loved and feared. He is a deity who usually works at night, during the day he hides in nature, due to his appearance. It is frequently kept among the ivy, the coralillo and the cundeamor. He is the partner of Oyá, for whom he raised the nine Eggún and Yewá. He has great miraculous powers, especially when it comes to health. He is a protector of animals, especially the dogs that have always accompanied him. His number is 17 and its multiples. Favorite color is purple. The main day for the deity is Friday. It should be greeted as follows: Jekúa Babalu ayé agrónica! It is communicated in the diloggún by: Irosso 4, Ojuani 11 and Metanlá 13. Associated with Saint Lazarus of the Catholic religion, its day is celebrated on December 17.

Characteristics of the rituals

Babalú ayé dances the opanijé in ceremonies and rituals, which translated means kill anyone and eat. This dance consists of leaning forward, representing the pain, suffering and symptoms suffered (itching and tremors). She carries in her hand the straw brush decorated with shells and beads to clean away evils and diseases. The clothing used is composed of two parts: row and aze. The top or row, It goes from the head (covers it) to the waist, made of braided straw. He toze, is a type of skirt also made of straw and can reach the feet or above the knee. Under the skirt they wear pants that hide the secrets of death and rebirth. This entire costume has pumpkins hanging on it.

Attributes of the orisha

Some elements that identify this orisha are:

-Receptacle: large, flat fryer-type casserole, covered by a semicircular-shaped lid or another fryer in reverse.

Having a hole or a gourd in the upper part, where banana feathers sacrificed on the day of washing are placed.

In the Arará rule, the lid is sealed with cement and colored blue, red, white and purple. Decorated on the top with cowries or snails. On the contrary, in the Lucumí rule, this lid remains open, that is, it is not sealed.

-Attributes: Sack cloth, an implement for the disabled, a dog made of any material, white with yellow spots, and a covered terracotta or clay glass are placed.

-Tools: Two iron dogs, two crutches, a noisemaker and a bell made of wood in the shape of a triangle.

They indicate that upon receiving this deity an Elegguá, the respective Osun of a dog, is added. When it is delivered along the arara asojin road, the Elegguá is named, Afrá. (See article: Prayer to Changó)

Power Object

A bunch of corojo or coconut palm branches, known as Ajá. They must be tied at the lower end with sackcloth or jute, which is decorated with cowries and beads.

It is a type of broom that is used in rituals for purification, since with it it sweeps away evils, diseases and impurities.

Necklaces or Elekes

Made with white beads striped in blue or with Oyá beads, in red and black, depending on the path of the saint is the combination or inclusion of the cowries.

Outfit

He is generally dressed in sackcloth or some checkered fabric in various poorly combined colors. These pieces are usually decorated with many cowries.

Roads

The functions that the orisha carries out and the characteristics that it acquires in the different situations in which it can help you are called paths, designating it with a particular title or name.

In the case of Babalú ayé, he is related to illness and death on these paths. This orisha has numerous paths and to receive it it is essential to know which is the path of the person in question.

Depending on the path, the type of necklace will also be, since these change according to the house. There are more than eighty Babalú roads, some of the best known being:

Babalú Ayé Ajorotomi: bears the evils of the water witches. Babalú Ayé Beluja: associated with the maritime world, because he is considered to be the adopted son of Yemayá, he removes diseases and pests from boats and ships. Babalú Ayé Bokú: has power over life and death, works in cemeteries and sacred mountains. He is similar in appearance to a zombie or living dead. Babalú Ayé Molú: his presence traps and affects people and animals with the plague, killing everything in its path. Babalú Ayé Olode: his activity takes place outdoors, in open places and when the sun is at the highest point. It causes heat stroke, fever and hot climate viruses. Babalú Ayé Oloko: he lives in the fields, especially very close to those that are cultivated, he causes pests in the plantations and in the peasants. Babalú Ayé Sapata; known as the one with arms of rock, because his attack is lethal. He causes deadly diseases and epidemics.

Other lesser-known paths of the Orisha, it should be noted that they are just some of the long list, are:

Babalú Ayé Abokun. Babalú Ayé Adan Wan. Babalú Ayé Adu Kake. Babalú Ayé Afisino Sanajui. Babalú Ayé Afrosan. Babalú Ayé Agdi. Babalú Ayé Osunike. Babalú Ayé Baba Mafí. Babalú Ayé Sagpatá. Babalú Ayé Chakuaná or Chakpana. Babalú Ayé Obarileo. Babalú Ayé Lanwelosán. Babalú Ayé Baba Aluwa. Babalú Ayé Babá Agrónica or Acronica. Babalú Ayé Baba Yonko. Babalú Ayé Baba Odé. Babalú Ayé Osanlao. Babalú Ayé Baba Wueroato. Babalú Ayé Abosojún. Babalú Ayé Asojuano or Asowano

Offerings

Similar to the other orishas, ​​offerings are presented to Babalú to ask for, obtain or thank him for his blessings and protection from all physical and spiritual evils. Among the favorite offerings of this deity are:

Roasted corn Variety of grains Roasted cobs Well toasted bread Coconut water Dry wine Garlic grains Smoked fish and jutía Brown and green coconuts Corojo onion Beef neck Dish made with different cooked vegetables and vegetables that do not add broth when serving, known as Menestra. Babalú Ayé’s favorite addimús is majarete con leche.

Animals such as:

Bearded goat Guinea fowl Rooster Pigeon

The Ewe or herbs of the deity are:

Cundeamor Sargassum or Sargassum Sasafrás Alacrancillo Apasote ateje Piñón botija Bejuco ubí or ubí Caisimón Basil Sarsaparilla Alejo macho Artemisa Caguaarán Cenizo Copaiba or palo de oil Cherimoya Yellow vine and worm Cardo Santo, argemone or chicalote Chives Ortiguilla or sea nettles Incense Mille or millet Pica pica , velvet grain or bull’s eye

Prayer to Babalú ayé to heal

There is a very short and simple prayer to ask Babalú for health.

It is always recommended to present some offering to the orisha to obtain or thank him for his favor and blessing,…