Palo is a spiritual and mystical Afro-Cuban tradition derived from Nganga.
- Palo may include Freemasonry, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritism in addition to its African origins.
- Palo Mayombe and Palo Monte are two of the many branches.
- Palo is deeply founded in necromantic traditions, and the ceremonial construction and upkeep of a cauldron (prenda) holding different objects, including human bones, is essential to its practice.
The Palero is a practioner of Palo and often refers to a master of the Art.
- The palero and the ghost of a deceased person make a contract to create the prenda.
RELATED MAGICAL ART: Necromancy.
- Palo refers to ceremonial activities and literally means "stick" (as in a tiny branch).
- Deities are often referred to as orishas, like in Santeria, but they are also referred to as nkisi.
- It's possible that they'll be syncretized with Roman Catholic saints.
- Many nkisi are exclusive to Palo, while others are shared by Santeria and Candomble, but under different names.
- As a result, Zarabanda is known as Ogun, the Iron Spirit, whereas Lucifero refers to Elegba as the Trickster.
- Palo has been banned many times and has always been a secret organization whose secrets were only known to initiates.
- Practitioners have just lately started to share their tradition with others.
Further Reading: Baba Raul Canizares' The Book of Palo (Original Publications, 2002).
You may also want to read more about Paganism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on Religion here.
