Nana-Buruku is the primordial mother of Obaluaye in Fon-Yoruba tradition. The ancient earth goddess gave birth to the lord of pestilence, connecting epidemic disease to the oldest chthonic powers.
Aja teaches the herbal preparations that cure the diseases Obaluaye governs. The healers she trains are among the few who can treat his plagues, creating a balance between affliction and remedy.
Eshu guided Obaluaye on the road during his exile and suffering, serving as the only orisha willing to accompany the diseased outcast and show him the crossroads that led to his eventual restoration.
When Obaluaye was afflicted with disease and cast out by the other orishas, Obatala showed compassion for the suffering deity, reflecting his role as protector of those whose bodies are afflicted and imperfect.
In Ifá tradition, when pestilence first threatened the newly created world, Oduduwa convened the orishas at Ile-Ife. Obaluaye was given authority over disease and its cure, containing the plague within his domain.
Olodumare punished Obaluaye with disease and exile for violating a sexual taboo, then later restored him after his suffering and repentance, granting him authority over smallpox and illness.
When Obaluaye was exiled by the other orishas for spreading pestilence, Olokun's waters carried him across the sea to distant lands where he wandered as a diseased outcast before his eventual rehabilitation.
Orunmila counseled Obaluaye through Ifá divination during his affliction and exile, prescribing the sacrifices that would ultimately lead to his restoration and reconciliation with Olodumare.
Oshun showed kindness to Obaluaye during his exile and affliction, bathing his sores with her river water and offering him honey when the other orishas shunned him for his disease.
Yemoja nursed Obaluaye back to health with her ocean waters after his affliction with disease and exile. Where the other orishas shunned him, Yemoja's maternal compassion led her to bathe and tend the suffering deity.
Obaluaye governs the diseases that bring death, while Yewa receives the bodies that result. They occupy consecutive stages in the process of dying — Obaluaye's plague delivers victims to Yewa's grave.
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