Brass San Lazaro Bello Babalu Campana de bronce Azowano Baba lu Aye omolu Shango agogo orisha metal musical altar for Lucumi Santeria Rincon

Babalú-Aye (from Yoruba Obalúayé), Oluaye, Ṣọpọna, or even Obaluaiye, is one of the orishas or manifestations of the supreme creator god Olodumare in the Yoruba religion of West Africa. Babalú-Aye is the spirit of the Earth and is strongly associated with infectious disease and healing. He promotes the cure for illnesses. He is always close to Iku (the force responsible for taking life), as he promotes healing for those close to death. However, some fear Obaluaye because he is believed to bring disease upon humans, including smallpox, which he is known as Ṣọpọna. His cult powers and spells are used against all kinds of diseases, particularly skin diseases, inflammation, and airborne diseases that can cause epidemics. They also cure people with seizure problems, epilepsy, and catalepsy. Heat is also a property of Babalu-aye, like fever, the body heating up to expel a disease, Babalu-aye acting on the human body, and the heat that comes from the depths of the earth.