"The spirits which are the most relevant for Palo are: the spirits of the Dead, the

Spirits of Nature
(which inhabit trees, plants, rocks, animals etc.), and the Highest Entities which manifest
themselves
in the Forces of nature (the Wind, the Lightning, the Sea, etc.) and in man.

The main worship and practice is being carried around the Nganga or Prenda, which is a
consecrated
cauldron filled (amongst other things...) with sacred earth, sticks (palos), and bones, and it is
dedicated
to a specifical spiritual energy.

This cauldron is also inhabited by the spirit of a Dead, which act as interface for all magical and
religious
activities which are performed on the Nganga. Due to religious syncretism a lot of elements
foreign to the
original african tradition may be present in the ceremonies, such as the use of the symbol of the
christian
cross, images of saints (these much more common in the Palo families of Venezuela and
Colombia), and
even using names and attributes of Orishas to describe/call the Enkisi, which are the Gods of
Palo, the
powerful Entities which are submitted to the High God Zambi or Ensambi.

The Palero works with spirits of Light (Ensambi) or of the Darkness (Endoki). The latter being
also the denomination for the Paleros which do not use christian symbols in their practice of
Palo.

To be initiated in Palo is necessary to undergo a ceremony called "Rayamiento" which means

"scratching",
where special marks are traced on the skin of the new adept: a pact is made with the spirit who
lives in the
cauldron, this ritual is also called "to swear with the Nganga". From now on, the person who has
received
"Rayamiento" will be under the protection of the Nkisi who rules the Nganga of his/her
Godfather.

The next step in the religion is becoming a Tata (Father), or Yaya (Mother) and receiving a
cauldron.
Divination is used to determine which "path" of the Palo Entities is the most appropriate for the
new
Nganga. A new ceremony is done where the Tata will swear to the Dead (Enfumbe) living in the
Nganga
so that it may help with the spiritual and material development of the new full-fledged palero/a.

The divination method is called Kujamputu or Chamalongo, and the basic patterns are identical
to Obi/Coco
Santeria divination. Because of Kardecian syncretism in many Houses of Palo (Covens
submitted to one God-
father or Godmother) a Spiritual Misa is acted before the initiation, in order to identify the main
spirits which
will help to develop one's life. These guides often speak also through possession, and may give
direct advice."
The Lodge of Ur

Has Anyone read "The Garden of Blood and Bones"? I Hear it has an amazing amount of insight.

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Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.
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suicidex66
neophyte

Posts: 497
Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 3:27 am
You are...: a practitioner
Number of Spirits: 41
Spelled Number: 66
If I could be anything, I would be...: Demon
My super power would be...: Ability to shape-shift

Re: Palo mayombe

 Quote

Postby suicidex66 » Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:24 am

Nsambi ~ The Supreme Deity, the God that rules over the universe.
"Worship in Palo centers around a hierarchy of spirits, called Mpungos
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."

This site has some good info on terms and stuff as well:
http://www.santeropalero.com/palo_mayombe.htm

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Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.
Top

suicidex66
 neophyte

Posts: 497
Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 3:27 am
You are...: a practitioner
Number of Spirits: 41
Spelled Number: 66
If I could be anything, I would be...: Demon
My super power would be...: Ability to shape-shift

Re: Palo mayombe

 Quote

Postby suicidex66 » Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:48 am

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, Monte, Brillumba, and Kimbisa.

Clergy: An initiated Priesthood of initiates called Paleros (Paleras if female), trained specialists
in magick and divination. (Sometimes, these are referred to as Mayomeros)

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,” meaning the initiate is marked with shallow cuts (the
scratches) 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 utilized in some sects, which have a somewhat
universalist view of magic.

An rough description of the Palo hierarchy of spirits:

Nsambi – the Supreme Deity, the God that rules over the universe. As in other Diasporic faiths,
the Deity is not directly involved in human affairs.
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)- Mfumbe are ghosts, spirits of the dead, especially ancestral spirits
Elemental spirits- animating spirits of trees, rivers, air, etc.
The seven main Nikisi of Palo are:
Lucero Mundo , 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 (‘seven rays,’ i.e., lightning) , 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.
Chola Wengue (Mama Chola), ruler of rivers, love, and beauty. She is related to Erzulie and to
Oshun.
Tiembla Tierra (“Earth trembles”) , Creator of earth and mankind, ruler of the universe. He is
related to Santeria’s Oludumare.

Symbols: Symbols of the Nikisi are known as firmas, and related to both the veves of Vodou and
the sigils of ritual magic. They represent the character and essence of the spirits and serve as a
doorway to communication.

Required observances, dietary restrictions: Periods of chastity are required on occasion.

Homosexuality is generally (some Nikisi and their sects are more accepting) 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,
and ill luck. 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.

Nfumo (Tribal Chief / Royal King) Tata Nkisi Ngombo Nganga Malongo - High Priest
A High Priest with a royal title that has had all the Necessary training and Initiation rites and has
recieved all of the sacred Nganga's, the title of Ngombo denotes that the High Priest has recieved
the highest initiation Kimbabula Kabango known as also "Padre Tiempo" and can perform the
sacred divinations and proverbs through use of the Nkobo, Vititi mensu, Chamalongo, and "Fa-
si-bradiku" a Table that has Symbols and proverbs in the Palo Mayombe Religion used in
Divination these are a direct connection to the Devine, a Tata Ngombo Nganga is similar to a
Babalawo which is a High Priest of the religion of Ifa which shares Similarites to the Religion of
Palo Mayombe in all cases a Tata Ngombo Nganga can perform even more functions then that of
a Babalawo because they deal directly with the problems on earth.

Paleros are completely capable of performing all the same works if not more then a Babalawo ,
or High Priest of Ifa tradition or Lucumi religion also called “Santeria”. There are some in the
Santeria and IFA community that believe in a "Progressive theory" that states that a person
should move from Palo to Santeria to Ifa over the course of time through a persons spiritual
development. This, is absolutely Un-true Palo Mayombe is a Religion of its own with its own
Priests and Structure and beliefs. Though in Palo Mayombe it is alright for a person to be
initiated into different spiritual practices as well as other traditions a person should complete his
spiritual developments as a Priest in Palo Mayombe first before moving forward into other faiths
this can sometimes confuse someone and cause spiritual problems for a person later on , it must
also be remembered that these religions are all separate although they may share similarities they
are not the same or ever mixed into each other when someone does this they are NOT
performing there function correctly.

A Tata Ngombo Nganga is a High Priest that is able to perform all the duties of the religion,
sacrifices and knows all of the secrets, ceremonies, mambo's(sacred song prayers) and functions
of a munanso congo He also acts as a Guide, Counselor, Mentor and Spiritual Leader in the
spiritual development of the Munanso Congo.

Tata Nganga - High Priest

High Priest of the Palo Mayombe Religion that has had all the Necessary training and Initiation
rites that can perform all the ceremonies, sacrifices and mambo's, a Tata Nganga has extremely
good knowledge of all the herbs,animals,songs,prayers and ceremonies a Tata Nganga has also
recieved all of the sacred Nganga's, This High Priest can give birth to new Nganga's and knows
all the secrets to building the sacred vessels of the religion of Palo Mayombe and can lead any
ceremony and have his own Munanso Congo as well but during functions all of the elders go to
where the roots of where they were born from and worship from the main munanso congo God
Fathers, God Sons and Daughers and Elders all include eachother and come together in singular
worship in 1 House of Worship.

Tata Nkisi-Bokanfula - Assistant to High Priest

A Priest that has complete knowledge in all the ceremonies of Palo Mayombe and assists during
all ceremonies and eventully has an opportunity to become a Tata Nganga though initiation and
complete his High Priesthood.

Tata Nkisi/Yaya Nkisi - Male/ Female Priests

Tata Nkisi/Yaya Nkisi have the basic knowledge in ceremonies, prayers, and sacrifices and have
recieved there basic "fundamento" the Building blocks of the Kimpungulu Nganga's usually
there Mpungo (Diety they are Initiated to) and "Lucero" Nkuyo. these priest can build up there
Houses by receiving more Nganga's, training and Initiations. They can Have God Children of
there own but require the presence of a Nfumo, Tata Nganga & Bokanfula to perform the
necessary ceremonies.

Tata Nkisi/Yaya Nkisi - Male/ Female Priests

without "Fundamento" Nganga
A Tata Nkisi/Yaya Nkisi without the Fundamento or fundamental Nganga's, in most cases these
are priests that are capable of learning the Ceremonies, songs, prayers and sacrifices they serve
as active memebers in the Munanso Congo and must always have the presence of a Nfumo, Tata
Nganga & Bokanfula to perform the necessary ceremonies.
Ngaeyo - Novice Apprentice to the Priests
New Initiated Novice Apprentices to a Munanso Congo they are Children of the Mpungo and
highly respected because they are said to be looked after directly by the Mpungo and bakula
during there initiation process and afterwards they are however under a watchful eye from
everyone. they are also the ones that have a freshest energy,and have been just cleaned so they
have strict rules to follow. they can take part in most but not all of the Ceremonies of the
Munanso Congo after they have made there oaths and vows through the sacred initiations into
the tribal munanso congo.
Membership to a Munanso Congo is only by initiation.

The spirits of the dead known as ‘Nfumbe’ are spirits that become enslaved in the nganga. These
spirits can be commanded to do the bidding of the cauldron’s owner. A human skull known as
the ‘Kiyumba’ is traditionally placed inside the pot to act as the ‘intelligence’ of the dead.