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Alternative Religions profiles
What is Palo? 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 spiritism, magick, and Catholicism. It's origins are in the Congo religion of Africa. It was brought to the West by slaves.
There is one major difference between Palo and other "syncretic" religions. While Santeria, Candomble, etc., were syncretized with Catholicism in order to protect their enslaved practitioners from persecution, the sect of Palo that is syncretized, Kimbisa, was syncretized in Africa, when Christianity was introduced by Spanish explorers. The other main sects of Palo are not synbcretized and retain more of their original African character.
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.
Number of Adherents: Unknown. Palo is practiced mainly in the Cuba, Brazil, and in the United States. There are several main sects of Palo, each with its own branches. The best known are: Mayombe, Brillumba, and Kimbisa.
Clergy: An initiated Priesthood of initiates called Paleros (Paleras if female), trained specialists in magick and divination.
The Palero/a is also referred to as "Tata" (Papa) or "Yaya" (Mama) by initiates.
Requirements to join: One becomes a Ngueyo, or novice, only by initiation. Before admittance, a divination is done to determine if he or she is accepted by the spirits. Then, he/she undergoes a ceremony called rayamiento, "scratching," meanign the initiate is 'marked' as chosen by the spirits. Further training and initiation is required to become a Tata/Yaya and possess an Nganga.
Church/temple: The consecrated temple of a Palero/a is called a Munanso, or House. Only a fully initiated Palero/a in possession of a Prenda may open a Munanso.
Scripture: None. Most Palo traditions are oral, and passed from teacher to initiate. Western books of ritual magick such as Goetia are indispensable in some sects.
Basic teachings and Beliefs: 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 nature spirits who are related 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 through sacrifices and offerings, and the practice of magic. 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 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. It is not unusual to find skulls of other human bones in Prenda.
The spirits of Palo communicate through the practice of spiritism, or mediumship; and through divination. All of these methods are the learned secrets of initiates, and not available to the public.
An rough description of the Palo hierarchy of spirits:
- Nsambi - the Supreme Deity, the God that rules over the universe.
- Nikisi- Powerful ancestral spirits who are roughly equivalent to the Orishas of Santeria or the Loas of Vodou; sharing names and characteristics with many. These are also referred to as "Inquices."
- Mfumbe (Fumbe; Muertos)- ghosts, spirits of the dead; ancestors
- Elemental spirits- spirits of trees, rivers, air, etc.
The seven main Nikisi of Palo are:
- 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, who has 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.
- Tiembla Tierra, Creator of earth and mankind, ruler of the universe. He is related to Santeria's Oludumare.
To learn more about the Orishas: Seven African Powers.
Symbols:
One of several 'Pontos Riscados,' or emblems of the Nikisi. For more information on these and other symbols, please see Religious symbols.
Required observances, dietary restrictions: Periods of chastity are required on occasion. Homosexuality is forbidden.
Code of conduct: The ethical system of Palo is somewhat unique. It is believed that there are two forces in the universe, and that imbalances in these forces result in injustices, misfortune, etc. Practitioners enlist aid from the spirits in adjusting natural forces; sometimes this is for love or money, for wisdom or healing, or to avenge wrongs.
Myths and misconceptions: It is a common assumption that Palo is a form of Brujeria, witchcraft, because Palero may choose to work with ensambe, or "light" spirits, or with endoki, "dark" spirits or ghosts. Curses are not unheard of in palo practice, although not all Palos participate. The chief goal of Palo, however, is the same for its related faiths, that of spiritual growth. Palo is not "black magick," although as is the case in any magical tradition, there are always those who will exploit and capitalize on people's natural fears of the unknown in order to cultivate power, frighten enemies, or achieve a reputation.
Another common misconception is that Palo is a "lesser" form of Santeria. Some of this confusion may be due to initiates of Santeria who also pursue initiation in Palo, and the tendency of some practitioners to consult Palo practitioners. Palo, however, a separate religion, and while similar in many ways to Santeria, it is a separate faith with a different origin.
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