If
you’re an “I love Lucy” fan you may have heard of “Babalu” in Ricky Ricardo’s
(played by Desi Arnaz) song on the show. His way of paying homage to the Orisha
and the original Cuban composer of the song. In the bible, Saint Lazarus is
known as the man Jesus raised from the dead or the rich man vs. Lazarus parable
depicted in the bible. He goes by many names depending on the region he is
honored around the world. In Nigeria he is known as Obaluaye, in other parts as
Omolu, Sonponno & San Lazaro (Saint Lazarus) in his syncretized version
throughout Latin America. He is personified in many aspects most notably his
hunch back form and his use of crutches, as well as skin ailments such as sores
and leprosy. He is also accompanied by 1 or 2 dogs, as we may know dogs are
very intuitive and are able to smell diseases from distances. There are a
number of mythologies as to how Babalu Aye became associated with diseases,
pandemics and the likes. One being as indicated below:
Question:
Graglia,
L.A., 1996. Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye: Of Animal Sacrifice and Religious
Persecution. Geo. LJ, 85, p.1.
Skinner,
Renee. "The Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah:
Still Sacrificing Free Exercise." Baylor L. Rev. 46 (1994): 259.
Lash,
K. T. (1993). Second Adoption of the Free Exercise Clause: Religious Exemptions
under the Fourteenth Amendment. Nw. UL Rev., 88, 1106.
If
you’re an “I love Lucy” fan you may have heard of “Babalu” in Ricky Ricardo’s
(played by Desi Arnaz) song on the show. His way of paying homage to the Orisha
and the original Cuban composer of the song. In the bible, Saint Lazarus is
known as the man Jesus raised from the dead or the rich man vs. Lazarus parable
depicted in the bible. He goes by many names depending on the region he is
honored around the world. In Nigeria he is known as Obaluaye, in other parts as
Omolu, Sonponno & San Lazaro (Saint Lazarus) in his syncretized version
throughout Latin America. He is personified in many aspects most notably his
hunch back form and his use of crutches, as well as skin ailments such as sores
and leprosy. He is also accompanied by 1 or 2 dogs, as we may know dogs are
very intuitive and are able to smell diseases from distances. There are a
number of mythologies as to how Babalu Aye became associated with diseases,
pandemics and the likes. One being as indicated below:
Question:
Is
the concept associated with Babalu Aye shared in other traditions? Would you
consider Babalu Aye to be benevolent or malevolent (and why)?
Graglia,
L.A., 1996. Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye: Of Animal Sacrifice and Religious
Persecution. Geo. LJ, 85, p.1.
Skinner,
Renee. "The Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah:
Still Sacrificing Free Exercise." Baylor L. Rev. 46 (1994): 259.
Lash,
K. T. (1993). Second Adoption of the Free Exercise Clause: Religious Exemptions
under the Fourteenth Amendment. Nw. UL Rev., 88, 1106.
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