SAINT LAZARUS / BABALÚ AYÉ – ORISHA OF HEALTH, ILLNESS, AND HEALING

Who is Babalú Ayé?

Babalú Ayé, also known as Saint Lazarus, Obaluayé, Azowano or Shakpana, is the Orisha who governs illnesses, plagues, and healing within the Yoruba religion.

His name comes from the Yorùbá “Babàlúayé”, meaning Father of the World, and represents both punishment and healing. He is one of the most respected and feared deities, as he has the power to send diseases… but also to remove them.

In nature, he hides during the day among:

• Ivy

• Coral vine

• Balsam apple

And comes out at night, avoiding sunlight.

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⚡ Origin and cult

The cult of Babalú Ayé comes from Dahomey (present-day Benin), where he is known as:

• Azojuano (Azowano)

• King of Nupe

• Samponá or Sakpatá

These deities were directly associated with deadly diseases such as smallpox and leprosy.

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🩺 Powers of Babalú Ayé

• Controls diseases (smallpox, leprosy, infections)

• Represents human suffering

• Orisha of deep healing

• Protector of the sick and marginalized

• Channel of spiritual purification

👉 Not a "bad" Orisha
👉 He is a just and extremely powerful Orisha

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🏺 Tools and attributes

His foundation is very specific:

• Frying pan or large flat container

• Covered with a gourd or semicircular lid with holes

• In Arará: sealed with cement and decorated with cowries

• In Lucumí: not sealed

Main attributes:

• 🐕 Two dogs (symbol of companionship and illness)

• 🩼 Crutches

• 🔔 Triangular bell

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🎨 Colors, number, and day

• Color: Purple (bishop)

• Number: 17

• Day: Friday

• Date: December 17

• Greeting: Jekúa Babalú Ayé Agronica!

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✝️ Syncretism

He is syncretized with Saint Lazarus, one of the most revered figures in Cuba, especially in El Rincón.

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📿 Elekes of Babalú Ayé

• White beads with blue line (most commonly used)

• Also combinations with:

  • Red

  • Black (Oyá's influence)

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🧬🔹 Main known paths:

• Babalú Ayé Azojuano (Azowano)

• Babalú Ayé Sakpatá

• Babalú Ayé Shakpana

• Babalú Ayé Agrónica

• Babalú Ayé Afimayé

• Babalú Ayé Babá Arubó

• Babalú Ayé Nanú

• 👤 Characteristics of his children

  • Spiritually strong people

  • Have experienced suffering or trials

  • Great capacity for resilience

  • Very sensitive to the pain of others

  • Spiritually protected, though marked by trials

• 🐕 Offerings to Babalú Ayé

  • Toasted corn

  • Beans

  • Dry wine

  • Bread

  • Coconut

  • Purple candles

  👉 Always with respect. He is not a “light” Orisha.

• 📖 Deep spiritual meaning

  Babalú Ayé represents a harsh truth:

  👉 Illness as a path to evolution

  Where there is pain, there is learning.
  Where there is suffering, there is transformation.

  He is the Orisha who teaches humility, faith, and resilience.

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  🛍️ Everything for Babalú Ayé at Inshe Miami

  Find everything you need to attend to Babalú Ayé:

  ✔️ Tools and foundations
  ✔️ Elekes and accessories
  ✔️ Ritual products
  ✔️ Candles, herbs, and offerings

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