Palo Mayombe

[XXPANTHAXX]

Palo is a shamanic religion with deep roots in the Bantu-speaking peoples of Kongo, Africa.

Palo Mayombe, usually referred to simply as "Palo," is one of the African Diasporic religions. Like Santeria and Candomble, it blends African shamanic religion with elements of spiritualism, magic, and Catholicism. It's roots lay with the Bantu peoples of the Kongo region in Africa. It was brought to the West by slaves and is most prevalent in Cuba. However a similar practice called Quimbanda or Umbanda is seen in other parts of Latin America - like Brazil .

There is one major difference between Palo and other "syncretic" religions. While Santeria, Candomble, etc., were synthesized with Catholicism in order to protect their enslaved practitioners from persecution, the sect of Palo that is synthesized, Kimbisa, was synthesized in Africa, when Christianity was introduced by Spanish explorers.

Palo means simply, "stick." The Palo religion is descended from ancient African beliefs, in which the world is inhabited by spirits, and the name refers to the branches of sacred trees the spirits inhabit.

PALO BASICS

Worship in Palo centers around a hierarchy of spirits, called Mpungos. These spirits range from elemental nature spirits that inhabit trees, water, etc., to Nikisi, powerful ancestral spirits who are equivalent to the Orishas of Santeria. Much of Palo practice centers around channeling the power of these spirits for temporal and spiritual purposes. This is Accomplished through propitiation - sacrifice, offerings, and the practice of magick.

The central tool of Palo worship is the Prenda, or Nganga. The Prenda is a consecrated cauldron of iron or clay, which houses the Nikisi (Spirit) of the initiate. The Prenda is filled with a variety of items that facilitate communion with the spirits: bones or earth for the spirits of the dead; sacred trees and herbs, etc. Items that some have assumed to be elements of "dark" or evil, are in fact elements of ancient shamanic practices.

The spirits of Palo communicate through the practice of spiritism, or medium ship; and through divination. All of these methods are the learned secrets of initiates.

An approximation of the Palo hierarchy of spirits:

Nsambi ~ The Supreme Deity, the God that rules over the universe.
Elemental Spirits ~ Spirits of trees, rivers, air, etc.
Mfumbe (Fumbe; Muertos) ~ Ghosts, spirits of the dead; ancestors
Nikisi ~ Powerful ancestral spirits who are roughly equivalent to the Orishas of Santeria or the Loas of Vodou; sharing names and characteristics with many.

The Seven main Nikisi of Palo are:

Tiembla Tierra ~ Creator of earth and mankind, ruler of the universe. He is related to Santeria's Oludumare.
Lucero ~ Messenger of the gods and guardian of the crossroads. Like Legba of Vodoun and Eleggua of Santeria, he is a trickster, and often childlike and impetuous. Lucero is often portrayed as something of a comic devil, with horns and tail; his emblem is a pitchfork.
Centella (Mama Wanga) ~ Ruler of cemeteries, winds, and the marketplace. She is associated with Santerioa's Oya and with Maman Brigitte of Vodoun.
Zarabanda ~ Nikisi of iron, blood, war, and divine vengeance. He is equivalent to Ogoun of Santeria and Vodoun.
Siete Rayos ~ Holds dominion over lightning and fire. He is the personification of justice, passion, and inspiration, and is related to Chango.
Madre Agua (Mother water) ~ Ruler of the ocean, motherhood, and creativity. She is related to Yemaya/Iemoja.
Mama Chola ~ Ruler of rivers, love, and beauty. She is related to Erzulie and to Oshun.
Tata Fumbi ~ Nikisi of disease, plague, and medicine. He is related to Babalu-aye and Ormulu.

PALO SERVICES

Paleros and Paleras do all kinds of spiritual work - they deal in matters of love, business, health, spiritual and physical protection, money drawing, success. Many priests both defend against, and send out negative brujeria (witchcraft) on behalf of clients. This may include crossing, revenge, stifling competition, making someone move, breaking up relationships.

Palo ritual work is sealed through quid pro quo contracts between the living and the dead and is swift and effective. In contrast, Lucumi priests ability to Work is subject to their Orisha's will - not vice versa.