Disambiguating Babalú-Ayé’s Efficacy as Healer and Sender of Disease

This paper examines Babalú-Ayé’s identity as both a healer and a sender of disease focusing on Afro-Caribbean healing practices. Connections between Babalú-Ayé and healing will be examined with special attention to vaccination, the uses of cundeamor, and wholistic medicine. The efficacy of beliefs and practices associated with Babalú-Ayé will be considered with attention to the expanding influence of Babalú-Ayé in contemporary Caribbean societies and in the United States.