Palo Mayombe. Often called the dark side of Santeria, nothing could be further from the truth. Palo is a nature based system that utilizes the forces of nature, such as sticks, stones, earth, bone and many other items drawn from nature. Palo work is centered around the Prendas, also called Nganga's, which are consecrated ritual cauldrons filled with earth, sticks, bones, herbs, and other sacred objects. The Prenda is home to the spirits of the Dead, as well as the powerful Nikisi, which are the deities of Palo. A Prenda should only be used by a fully initiated Palero or Palera because in the wrong hands they can be extremely dangerous. No Palero can perform any work without the help of the spirits of the dead at some point in his practice. These spirits are aquired in numerous ways. Sometimes they are passed to him through his own godparents. Other times they are spirits drawn to him by some natural affinity or affection. These spirits may make themselves known through dreams or through mediums at seances performed by the Palero and his fellow initiates. Most Paleros also maintain an ancestor altar where many spirits maybe aquired through rituals and offerings.

Copyright 2001 Madrina Angelique Samedi. This article appeared in Atlanta Rising Magazine.